Record 72% voters turnout in Punjab; polling peaceful

A record 72% of total 1.95 crore electors today voted to elect 13 Lok Sabha MPs from Punjab where the polling was largely peaceful, barring few incidents of violence.

The voter turnout was 72%, Additional Chief Electoral Officer Raminder Singh said, adding that the polling was by and large peaceful throughout the state.

"No major incident was reported across the state as the polling was more or less peaceful. The poll percentage is likely to touch 73 to 74% after as voters are still in queues to cast their votes," he said.

Earlier in 1967 general polls, Punjab had registered 71.13% polling, the highest ever in the state.

Voters turned out in large numbers to exercise their franchise amid sun beating down since morning as Punjab recorded a sizzling above 40 degrees Celsius temperature at most places.

Ten persons were injured in a clash between Akali Dal and Congress workers at Sangatpura village in Moga district, officials said, adding that three workers from Aam Aadmi Party sustained injuries after a brawl between them and Akalis at Devigarh village in Patiala Lok Sabha constituency.

AAP candidate from Patiala Dharamvir Gandhi was injured after he was allegedly attacked by some 25 unidentified youths owing allegiance to SAD-BJP at Rassolpura Saidan village in Patiala constituency, sources said.

Three persons were injured when supporters of SAD nominee Manpreet Singh and Independent candidate and sitting MLA Simarjeet Singh Bains clashed at Kot Mangal Singh locality in Ludhiana, police said, adding that two vehicles were also vandalised during the conflict.

Some Akali Dal workers allegedly vandalized the control unit of EVM at the Bajwa Colony in Patiala, officials said.

Minor clashes also took place between Akali and Congress supporters at Amritsar and Khadoor Sahib, but no one was injured in it.

The Akali workers earlier vandalized the booth of Congress party and tried to take control, officials said.

Polling came to a halt at Booth No 166 in SD Model School in Phagwara for half an hour after the EVMs developed a technical snag, officials said, adding that polling resumed after the balloting units were replaced.

Besides, 3 other malfunctioning EVMs were replaced at booth numbers 104, 137 and 151 in Phagwara.