North News
Chandigarh, November 18
Punjab’s Chief Electoral Officer, Sibin C,on Monday said that all arrangements for the upcoming bye-elections in four Punjab Assembly constituencies are complete, ensuring a free, fair, and transparent electoral process. A total of 6,481 Punjab Police personnel and 17 companies of Central Armed Police Forces (CAPF) have been deployed to maintain law and order, while 3,868 polling staff will oversee the smooth running of elections.
For the 10-Dera Baba Nanak constituency, which has 193,376 voters, 241 polling stations will be active, including 61 critical stations. A total of 701 staff members will oversee the polls. Election authorities have received 19 complaints regarding violations of the election code, 17 of which have been resolved. During the enforcement of the code, ₹25.40 crore has been seized. The vote counting for this constituency will be done on November 23 in 18 rounds at Sukhjinder Group of Institutes in Gurdaspur.
The 44-Chabbewal (SC) constituency, with 159,432 voters, will have 205 polling stations, including 50 critical ones. In total, 1,044 staff members have been assigned duties. The district administration has seized ₹60,000, and 35 complaints have been filed, of which 30 have been resolved. The vote counting will take place in 15 rounds at Rayat & Bahra Group of Institutes, Hoshiarpur.
In the 84-Gidderbaha constituency, with 166,731 voters and 173 polling stations, 96 critical stations are in place, with 1,148 staff members deployed. During the election period, 24 complaints have been filed, with 11 resolved, and ₹4.70 lakh has been seized. The vote counting will occur in 13 rounds at Government Senior Secondary School, Gidderbaha.
For the 103-Barnala constituency, with 177,426 voters and 212 polling stations, 37 are critical. A total of 975 staff members will manage the election process. Seven election code violation complaints have been filed, of which five have been resolved, and ₹55.50 lakh has been seized. The vote counting will take place in 16 rounds at S.D. College of Education, Barnala.
Sibin C added that all polling stations will be monitored via CCTV cameras, with 100% live webcasting for real-time monitoring, in line with the Election Commission’s guidelines. Arrangements for food, accommodation, and protection from cold have been made for polling staff, and adequate facilities, including drinking water, waiting areas, and toilets, will be available for voters.
