Foolproof security for D-day

At least 70 companies of Punjab Armed Police,besides 10 companies of BSF,have been deployed at all the counting centres to ensure adequate security. Counting for the 13 parliamentary seats in Punjab will begin on Saturday at 8 am across 48 counting centres set up by the Election Commission. Over three dozen central observers have been appointed by the ECI to monitor the whole counting process. The Commission has also directed that there shall be one Union government official on every counting table as counting observer. Punjab Chief Electoral Officer Kusumjit Sidhu said close-circuit cameras have also been installed inside the counting areas and videography would be done. A total of 70.04 per cent of 1.68 crore voters in Punjab have sealed the fate of 218 candidates,including 13 women,for 13 Lok Sabha seats.

Wagers on
The betting game is on in Jalandhar over the poll results. From families,friends,college students to groups of elderly people,almost everyone is predicting the result. The wagers vary from cash,tea party,movie tickets or mall outings. Congress candidate Mohinder Singh Kaypee says though they have performed well,there is certainly some anxiety till the results are declared. “It’s difficult to pass the time,but there is no option but to wait,” says SAD candidate Hans Raj Hans.