Political parties might have fielded just 7% of them, but women hold the key in deciding fate of the 1,145 candidates in Punjab assembly polls as they turned up in higher number than men to cast their vote on Saturday.
Of the 1,145 candidates, only 81 women were in the fray in Punjab. A total of 78.14% (93.75 lakh) women exercised their franchise, while 76.69% (80.54 lakh) men came forward to cast their vote. There are 93.75 lakh women and 1.05 crore male voters in the state. Polling by transgenders was not encouraging as of the 415 voters, only 91 (22%) of them exercised their franchise. In the 2012 assembly polls too, women recorded higher voting percentage of 79% against 78% of men.
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HIGHEST TURNOUT IN MANSA
Mansa district had the highest turnout at 88.75% in the state with Sardulgarh recording 88.9% polling. Mohali district was the lowest with 71.2% turnout. Only 60% of voters turned up in the Amritsar West constituency, lowest in the state. Cumulative figures of all 11 assembly segments of Amritsar district recorded 71.3% polling, marginally higher than Mohali.
EVMs IN 3-TIER SECURITY
{{/usCountry}}EVMs IN 3-TIER SECURITY
{{/usCountry}}After Saturday’s polling, electronic voting machines (EVMs), which have sealed fate of 1,145 candidates, have been stored in high-security strong rooms with three-tier security. The EVMs will be kept in strong rooms till the date of counting on March 11.
The strong rooms are constantly under the CCTV camera surveillance. Punjab additional director general of police VK Bhawra told HT that 12 companies of paramilitary forces have been retained for the security of EVMs. The second ring of security is the Punjab Armed Police and third of the state police, said Bhawra.