Voter turnout jumps 15 per cent in Ludhiana

Many complain as 400 names missing from electoral lists

The polling for the Ludhiana Lok Sabha seat went off in a peaceful manner in the urban and the rural areas of the constituency. A healthy poll percentage of approximately 64 per cent votes was witnessed in the elections. The polling percentage jumped by 15 per cent as compared to the last Lok Sabha elections in 2004.

According to Ludhiana Range DIG Ishwar Singh, polling was completely peaceful for not even a single incident of violence was reported from any part of the city. The DIG expressed gratitude to the voters for exercising their franchise in a cordial manner. A release from the district administration also said that the polling remained peaceful and no incident was reported from the district.  

The polling started with a lukewarm response in the city early in the morning but picked up as the day progressed. At Sarabha Nagar,only 250 out of the total 1,250 voters had come to cast their votes at a polling booth in the New Senior Secondary School. Similar was the position in the other posh localities. On the other hand,the Old city gave a heartening response as voters turned out in large numbers.

At a polling centre at Teja Singh Sutantar Memorial School in Shimlapuri,over 400 residents of Mair colony complained that despite having voter identity cards,they were shocked to see their names missing from the voters’ list. Showing their voting cards,these people said,“We would register our protest with the authorities.”

Shimlapuri peaceful
Polling was peaceful in the Shimlapuri area,which had been declared very sensitive following two incidents of clash between the supporters of Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) and Congress. A large posse of policemen and paramilitary personnel descended on the area to avert any untoward incident.
A paramilitary officer,on the condition of anonymity,said,“I did not find anything wrong with the area. Voters in the area were calm and relaxed.”

Poll percentage

Ludhiana East: 61%

Ludhiana South: 55.12%

Atam Nagar: 60%

Gill: 65%

Dakha: 71%

Jagraon: 68%

Ludhiana Central: 65%

Ludhiana West: 62%

Ludhiana North: 63.63%