Amid heatwave, every second voter got inked in Punjab

In 2019 Lok Sabha polls, the state had recorded 65.96% voter turnout.

AAP MLA Neena Mittal was issued a notice for allegedly making a video of her casting vote at a polling booth in Rajpura. (Express File Photo)

Nothwithstanding A searing heatwave, every second registered voter in Punjab came out to exercise their franchise recording 55.65% turnout in the 13 Lok Sabha seats, as per EC data till 6 pm Saturday. In 2019 Lok Sabha polls, the state had recorded 65.96% voter turnout.

“By turning out in such significant numbers, voters have risen to the trust reposed in them by the founders of the Constitution,” Chief Electoral Officer Sibin C said.
Among 13 LS seats, Bathinda recorded highest turnout of 60.84%, as per the EC data.

Among the first to cast their votes was CM Bhagwant Mann, state BJP chief Sunil Jakhar, AAP leader Raghav Chadha, AAP candidates Malvinder Singh Kang, Karamjit Singh Anmol, BJP candidate Taranjit Singh Sandhu, SAD candidate Anil Joshi and former cricketer Harbhajan Singh.

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Punjab Congress chief Amrinder Singh Raja Warring, along with his wife, cast his vote in Muktsar. SAD chief Sukhbir Singh Badal, his wife and Bathinda candidate Harsimrat Kaur Badal, along with their son and two daughters, cast their votes in Muktsar.

AAP MLA Neena Mittal was issued a notice for allegedly making a video of her casting vote at a polling booth in Rajpura.

Amritsar, which recorded lowest voter turnout, is witnessing a high-profile contest between former diplomat and BJP candidate Taranjit Singh Sidhu, sitting Congress MP Gurjeet Singh Aujla, Anil Joshi from SAD and AAP’s Cabinet minister Kuldeep Sigh Dhaliwal.

Former CM and Congress candidate Charanjit Singh Channi and BJP nominee Sushil Rinku are in fray from the Jalandhar reserved seat. SAD (Amritsar) chief Simranjit Singh Mann is contesting from Sangrur. CM Mann wrote on X, “Heartfelt thanks to every Punjabi who voted… Long live the Constitution, Long live democracy.”

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