हिंदी
Assures all preparations complete; entire election process would be held in a peaceful, free, fair and transparent manner
Polling to be held from 8 am to 6 pm tomorrow (February 20)
Says voters must carry EPIC card (electoral photo identity card) or any of the alternative 11 other authentic documents; photo voter slip not a proof of identity
For free and fair polls, 82 companies of paramilitary forces deployed in district
Dry day in district till February 20 (till conclusion of polling)
Bans dharnas, protests, holding meetings, sloganeering, assembly of five or more persons in district
Reiterates commitment for free, fair & transparent polls
Ludhiana, February 19 2022
District Election Officer-cum-Deputy Commissioner Ludhiana Varinder Kumar Sharma today urged all voters to exercise their right to vote without any fear and assured that entire election process would be held in a peaceful, free, fair and transparent manner. He said that all arrangements regarding elections have been completed by the District Administration.
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It is pertinent to mention that a total of 26,93,131 voters (14,35,595 male, 12,57,408 female and 128 third gender) would exercise their right to vote for Vidhan Sabha elections at 2,965 polling stations tomorrow. Polling will be held from 8 am to 6 pm tomorrow (February 20).
While interacting with mediapersons at Government Senior Secondary Smart School at PAU, here, he said that the Election Commission of India (ECI) has allowed use of EPIC or 11 alternative identity documents for the voters to cast their votes. In addition to the EPIC , which is known as voter card in common parlance, other 11 alternate identity cards prescribed by the Election Commission of India are Passport, Driving License, Service Identity Card with photographs issued to employees by Central / State Government / PSU / Public Limited companies, passbook issued by Bank/Post Office having photograph, PAN Card, Smart Card issued by RGI under NPR, MGNREGA Card, Health Insurance Smart Card issued by Ministry of Labor, Pension document with photograph, identity cards issued by MP/MLA/MLC and Aadhaar card. But he appealed the voters to carry the most authentic and preferred identity card which is EPIC or voter identity card as first choice because 100% voters have been already issued their EPIC or voter cards.
The Deputy Commissioner said that if the voters bring their authenticated voter slip along with any of these Identity cards to exercise their franchise then it would ensure that the voters do not face any sort of problem in finding their names in voter list. It will help in exercising their franchise freely. He also asked the voters to cast their vote enthusiastically without any sort of fear.
He also clarified that the voter slips have been prepared so that it could be used for voter awareness. He clarified that photo voter slip would not be accepted as identity card for voting.
He warned that there would be zero tolerance for hooliganism in district Ludhiana and they would not shy away from registering an FIR against such persons. He also warned of strict action if any person tries to disrupt peace and communal harmony in any part of district Ludhiana by using muscle power. “Such persons would be dealt with strictly and would be put behind bars,” he warned.
He said that to ensure peaceful, free and fair elections, 82 companies of central paramilitary forces have been deployed in district Ludhiana. He said in three assembly constituencies namely Ludhiana (South), Atam Nagar and Ludhiana (Central), central paramilitary forces have been deployed in 100% polling booths, whereas strict vigil would be kept in some parts of Gill constituency, where an untoward incident had taken place few days ago. He said that central paramilitary forces, 5 quick reaction teams in each constituency and other force has been deployed in remaining constituencies of district Ludhiana. He said that these teams would be headed by senior commandant level officers of paramilitary forces, DCP level, ADCP/SP level, ACP/DSP level officers.
He said that 235 sector officers/magistrates have also been deployed in the district and they would be accompanied by police personnel and videographers. These teams would keep patrolling their respective polling booths so that no untoward incident takes place.
Reiterating the firm commitment of the district administration to ensure free, fair and transparent polls in Ludhiana, he said that no stone would be left unturned for this noble cause adding that people should come and vote independently without any fear. He warned of strict action if any candidate/political party tries to lure voters by distributing cash, liquor or any other thing etc.
