Amargarh subdivision records highest turnout of women in Malerkotla district

Despite speculations of large-scale rigging of the electoral process by the ruling party, polling in the politically important district went on peacefully till late in the evening here.

Although, minor incidents of commotion and arguments were reported from some booths and villages, they were controlled by the prompt action of the special mobile teams constituted for the purpose.

Approximately 64 per cent eligible voters, including a record number of women cast their vote amid tight security at 278 polling booths installed at 176 villages in Malerkotla, Amargarh and Ahmedgarh subdivisions.

Though aspirants were not allowed to contest elections on symbols of political parties, allegations of partiality by the polling staff in favour of candidates supported by the ruling party abounded. However, the AAP workers and leaders denied any such allegations and said they had only stepped in to remove any misunderstanding at certain villages, namely in Dehliz Kalan, Jandali Kalan, Burj, Jhuner and Takhar.

The process of polling continued till late in the evening at several villages.

Though the inflow of voters was very slow during the first two hours with just 28.20 per cent of the electorate having polled their vote by 12 noon, long queues were witnessed at a majority of polling booths after 2 pm.

None of the buses, carrying polling parties back to election centres at Malerkotla, Amargarh and Ahmedgarh subdivision, had reached their destination till the filling of the story.

The maximum percentage of women voters was observed in Amargarh subdivision with 17,951 out of total 24,369 having cast their vote till 4 pm.

The overall voting percentage was recorded as 65.58 for Amargarh and 65.1 per cent for Ahmedgarh subdivision with Malerkotla subdivision lagging behind at 62.24 per cent till 4 pm.