Chandigarh (Gurpreet Singh): Vote counting for Punjab’s municipal elections got underway on Friday morning with authorities enforcing extensive security measures and strict monitoring arrangements at counting centres across the state.
The counting process began at 8 am simultaneously in different districts for elections held recently across 103 urban local bodies. The civic polls included eight municipal corporations, 75 municipal councils and 19 nagar panchayats, making it one of the state’s major urban electoral exercises.
Officials said elaborate preparations had been made to ensure a smooth and transparent counting procedure. More than 21 lakh voters had cast their ballots during the elections, while 7,554 candidates are in the fray for various local body positions.
State Election Commissioner Raj Kamal Chaudhari stated that trained staff and election personnel had been deployed at all venues after a randomised selection process conducted under the supervision of district observers.
To maintain fairness and transparency, micro-observers have also been stationed at every counting centre to closely monitor the proceedings and report directly to senior election authorities.
Entry inside counting halls has been restricted, with only authorised officials, candidates and accredited counting agents being allowed access. Police personnel have been deployed in large numbers around the venues to prevent any untoward incident.
Political parties and independent candidates are now eagerly awaiting the results, which are expected to play a crucial role in determining the political mood in Punjab’s urban regions ahead of future electoral battles.
