Punjab: Polling for Shahkot Assembly by-election underway
What's the story
Polling for the Shahkot by-poll, which was necessitated following the demise of Akali MLA Ajit Singh Kohar in February this year, began today at 7 am and will continue till 6 pm. Congress is hoping to maintain its winning momentum while Akali Dal is trying to retain the seat. Votes will be counted on May 31; 172,676 voters will cast their votes. Here's more.
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Congress, Akali Dal, and AAP candidates from the constituency
The ruling Congress has fielded Hardev Singh Laddi while Akali Dal has given the ticket to five-time MLA late Ajit Singh Kohar's son Naib Singh Kohar. The Aam Aadmi Party has nominated Rattan Singh Kakkar Kalan for the Shahkot by-poll.
Details
EC deploys 1,022 security personnel at 236 polling stations
Election Commission has deployed a total of 1,022 personnel of security forces, including six companies of BSF in Shahkot. There are total 236 polling stations, out of which, webcasting will be held at 103 stations. The EVMs and VVPAT are being used at all polling stations while 15% additional EVMs/VVPAT have been kept as reserve if some malfunctioning is developed during polling, officials said.
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Results of 2017 Assembly polls
The Congress had won 77 seats in the 117-member Punjab Vidhan Sabha during 2017 Assembly polls while the Shiromani Akali Dal BJP alliance had managed to win 18 seats. The AAP had won 20 seats while Lok Insaf Party had bagged two seats.