Admn all set to conduct free & fair poll today

Finally, the stage is set to hold the bypoll of the Ludhiana West Assembly segment on Thursday. The election has turned out to be a prestige for all major parties and their candidates.

For conducting the election in a free and fair manner, elaborate arrangements have been made by the district administration.

Polling parties with Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) were dispatched for the crucial Ludhiana West bypoll from the Khalsa College for Women, Ghumar Mandi, on Wednesday. As many as 194 polling parties comprising 776 personnel were dispatched from the college, carrying EVMs and VVPAT units for the byelection. The deployment marks the final operational phase before the polling, to be scheduled on June 19 from 7 am to 6 pm.

Highlights of preparedness

Each polling party includes one Presiding Officer, one Assistant Presiding Officer and two polling officers, rigorously trained in EVM handling and voter protocol. Special welfare measures (transport, communication and family support) are implemented for officials to ensure seamless operations.

The machines underwent mock voting drills with manual cross-verification against VVPAT slips. No discrepancies were found, affirming system integrity.

All EVMs will be stored in double-lock strongrooms under 24×7 armed guard surveillance.

Besides, 194 polling stations are established across the constituency, which are equipped with ramps for differently abled or weak persons. Drinking water and shade facilities have also been provided due to the sultry weather.

On Thursday, the fate of 14 candidates in the fray will be sealed by 1.74 lakh voters in the constituency. June 19, the election day, would be a paid holiday for all voters.

Third eye to monitor polling process

There will be 100 per cent live webcasting for Thursday’s polling through a total of 235 HD CCTV cameras linked to a central command control room. The live footage can be viewed by Election Observers and officials anytime till the cameras are on.

1K cops from state deployed in segment

Five companies of Central forces and 1,000 police personnel from the state are deployed to conduct the polling. Sixty checkpoints have been activated and the sale and purchase of liquor is banned till the polling ends in the constituency.

Litmus test for state politics

The bypoll was necessitated after the death of AAP MLA Gurpreet Bassi Gogi in January 2025. It has evolved into a litmus test for the state’s political future. Fourteen candidates are contesting, with major four parties fielding their candidates. The results, to be declared on June 23, will shape Punjab’s trajectory ahead of the 2027 Assembly poll.

Booths decorated

The administration has made elaborated efforts to make polling booths look attractive. Beautiful and colourful images and posters are put up, which say ‘Mera vote meri taqat’, ‘Matdaan zarur karein’, ‘Jago voter’, ‘Be smart – do your part… vote’, ‘Election-shaping our future’, etc. These are put up to encourage voters to cast their franchise.

Ensure max participation: DC

DC-cum-DEO Himanshu Jain said: “Every protocol has been enforced to guarantee transparency in the byelection. Our integrated command centre will enable real-time monitoring and citizens can report anomalies via the C-Vigil app. We urge voters to participate in maximum numbers.”

Ludhiana