71 percent polling recorded in Punjab

Responsibly the people of Punjab have set an excellent example. He said that the focus of ECI was to ensure peaceful poll in a free and fair manner. He said that it was a matter of great satisfaction that 196 all women polling stations also saw large number of voters. He said that the main feature of this election was deputation of 8784 micro-observers in addition to 65 General Observers, 29 Police observers and 50 expenditure observers by ECI. Dr Raju said that in the morning during mock poll 146 ballot units, 152 control units and 433 VVPAT machines were replaced, while 72 ballot units, 64 control units and 649 VVPATs were replaced during the conduct of the poll. He also said that there was not a single case of disruption of poll and inducement of voters that was brought to the notice of the Commission during the day. The CEO thanked all the Polling Personnel, Security Personnel and Punjab Police Personnel for working day and night to ensure free, fair and peaceful polls in the state. He also thanked 25,000 Booth Level Officers (BLO), PWD coordinators, Asha Workers, Aanganwadi workers, Mid-Day-Meal workers and Village Chowkidars for their contribution in the election process. Regarding the Law-and-Order situation, Dr Raju said that some minor poll related incidents were witnessed in the state and a total of 18 First Information Reports (FIRs) have been registered on the day of polling to avert any untoward incidents.