Shahkot bypoll results popularity test for Congress govt in Punjab

The Shahkot Assembly bypoll results, which will be out tomorrow, is being seen as a popularity test for the 14-month-old Congress government in Punjab, with opposition SAD striving to retain its stronghold.

The bypoll was necessitated following the demise of Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) MLA Ajit Singh Kohar in February this year.

While the SAD is striving to retain its pocket borough from where Kohar was elected five-times, the results for the ruling Congress in Punjab is being seen as a barometer for the popularity of the 14-month-old Amarinder Singh dispensation.

During the bypoll, the opposition party had accused the Congress of misusing official machinery against political opponents.

The AAP, which faced a humiliating defeat in the Gurdaspur Lok Sabha bypoll and civic polls, is desperately looking for a victory in Shahkot.

The Congress is confident of maintaining the winning momentum by wresting the seat from rival SAD.

Over 76 per cent of 1.72 lakh voters had exercised their franchise for the Shahkot bypoll on May 28 where the Congress, the SAD and the AAP were locked in a triangular battle.

The Shahkot Assembly constituency, considered a SAD bastion, had recorded 78.60 per cent polling during 2017 the Punjab polls.

Ruling Congress had fielded Hardev Singh Laddi, while the SAD gave ticket to Ajit Singh Kohar's son Naib Singh Kohar.

The AAP had nominated Rattan Singh Kakkar Kalan for the bypoll.

Punjab Chief Electoral Officer S Karuna Raju said all necessary arrangements have been made for the counting of votes tomorrow.

"Necessary arrangements have been for the counting of votes," said Raju.

The counting of votes would start at 8 am in the presence of the election observer, candidates of political parties and their representatives.

It will take place at the office of the Director, Land Records in Jalandhar.

Tight security arrangements have been made to ensure peaceful counting of votes, the official said.

The counting for the Shahkot by-election would be held in 17 rounds.

Deputy Commissioner Jalandhar Varinder Kumar Sharma and Commissioner of Police Praveen Kumar Sinha today took stock of arrangements made in this regard.

They said that more than 300 police personnel have been deployed in the counting centre for smooth and hassle free counting.

Every effort would be made to ensure that the counting is held peacefully and in a congenial atmosphere, the officials said.

They said that the district administration has already made elaborate arrangements for the security of Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) and VVPAT machines.

Likewise, they said that round the clock surveillance of the machines was also being ensured through CCTV cameras installed in the premises of the counting centre.

The Election Commission used EVMs and VVPATs at the all the 236 polling stations.

The Congress had won 77 seats in the 117-member Punjab assembly during 2017 state polls while the SAD-BJP alliance managed to win 18.

The AAP won 20 seats, while the Lok Insaf Party had bagged two seats.