Punjab panchayat elections start, voting progresses peacefully in Mohali

Of the 422 polling booths in Punjab’s Mohali district, 46 have been declared hypersensitive and 103 sensitive booths, where enhanced security measures are in place for the panchayat polls.

People wait to cast their votes for the Punjab gram panchayat elections, in Amritsar, Tuesday, Oct. 15, 2024. (PTI Photo)

As voting for the panchayat elections in Punjab is underway, 13.2 per cent polling was recorded till 10 am in Mohali district, where elaborate security arrangements have been made for the smooth conduct of the elections.

The polling started at 8 am on Tuesday and will end at 4 pm. In 63 of Mohali’s 332 gram panchayats, representatives were elected unanimously, while the polls are not being not held in three villages. Polling is thus underway in 266 gram panchayats.

Speaking to The Indian Express, Additional Deputy Commissioner Sonam Chaudhary said that she had visited many polling booths and that the polling was going on peacefully.

“People are showing great interest in the polling process. By 10 am around 13.2 per cent polling had taken place,” she added.

Women wait to cast their votes for the Punjab Gram-Panchayat elections, at Shahpur village in Mohali district, Tuesday, Oct. 15, 2024. (PTI Photo)

Of the 422 polling booths in the district, 46 have been declared hypersensitive and 103 sensitive booths, where enhanced security measures are in place, according to Chaudhary.

The district has three Assembly seats, Mohali, Derabassi and Kharar—all held by the ruling AAP.

The Opposition SAD and Congress have alleged that the nomination papers of many of their candidates were cancelled without valid reasons. The elections in Balongi village were postponed.

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Migrants hold the key in some villages in the Badmajra and Balongi areas as they outnumber the locals.

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