Booth-level prep intensifies as West gears up for voting day

With just hours left before voting begins in the high-stakes Ludhiana West bypoll, the political atmosphere in the constituency is electric. As the clock ticks down to polling day, all major political parties have shifted their focus to last-mile booth management strategies in a final push to maximise voter turnout.

In what appears to be a tightly contested seat, party offices have turned into war rooms. Vehicles have been deployed, local units are on alert and booth-level workers are being pressed into service to ensure supporters are mobilised and reach polling stations without fail.

The candidates themselves took a break from public outreach to meet with core teams and booth workers. Their key message: every vote counts.

Party insiders revealed that lists of loyal voters have been drawn up and area-wise coordination teams have been assigned to monitor the turnout by the hour. In many pockets of Ludhiana West, workers could be seen visiting homes, confirming voter details and coordinating transportation for the elderly and women voters.

“This is now a booth-level battle,” said a senior party strategist, adding, “We have done the talking, now it’s about execution on the ground.”

The Election Commission of India (ECI), too, has made elaborate arrangements to ensure a smooth and peaceful voting process, with security tightened and polling teams already dispatched to sensitive locations.

All eyes are now on June 19, when voters will cast their ballots in a contest that many believe will set the tone for upcoming political alignments in urban Punjab.

Ludhiana