CHANDIGARH: Punjab is all set for polls with the Election Commission of India making all arrangements to ensure free, fair and peaceful elections in the state.

Briefing the media, Chief Electoral Officer Dr S Karuna Raju informed that total State machinery is working round the clock to ensure peaceful, free and fair elections.

He said that as many as 21499804 electorates including 11298081 Male, 10200996 Female and 727 Transgenders. There are 1304 candidates—1209 Male, 93 Women and Two Transgenders, are in fray in 117 constituencies, he added.

He said that of total 1304 candidates– 231 are from National Parties, 250 from State Parties, 362 from Unrecognised Parties, while 461 are Independent Candidates. He said that as many as 315 contesting candidates are with Criminal Antecedents.

The CEO said that 348836 electors of 18-19 years age group would exercise their right of franchise this time and all District Administrations are taking adequate steps to motivate first time voters. He said that there are 509405 voters who are above the age of 80 voters, 109624 are service voters and 158341 are Persons with Disability (PwD) voters, while 1608 are NRI voters. He said that Welcome Kits have been issued to First Time Voters, while Voter Information Guides have been distributed to sensitise people about their voting rights.

Divulging more information, the CEO said that apart from three Special State Observers, ECI has appointed 65 General Observers, 50 Expenditure Observers and 29 Police Observers, who are keeping close vigil. As many as 2083 sector officers have been deployed to assist polling parties, he added.

Meanwhile, 24689 polling stations and 51 auxiliary polling stations have been established at 14684 polling station locations of which 2013 are identified as critical, while 2952 are vulnerable pockets. There would be 1196 Model Polling Stations, 196 Women Managed Polling Stations and 70 PwD managed polling stations. He said that webcasting of all the polling stations is being done.

As many as 28328 ballot units and 24740 EVM-VVPATs are being used in this election. There are six Assembly Constituencies including 52-Kharar, 59-Sahnewal, 61-Ludhiana South, 67-Payal, 110-Patiala Rural and 115-Patiala with two Ballot Units, he added.

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