Chandigarh: Voting for eight municipal corporations in Punjab began on Tuesday morning amid tight security arrangements across the state. The municipal corporations going to polls include Bathinda, Abohar, Batala, Barnala, Kapurthala, Moga, Pathankot and Mohali.

Apart from these, voting is also being held for 75 municipal councils and 20 nagar panchayats.

Polling started at 8 a.m. and will continue till 5 p.m. Unlike previous elections, voting is being conducted through ballot papers instead of Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs).

A total of 7,555 candidates are in the fray, while nearly 36.73 lakh voters are eligible to cast their votes.

Tight Security Arrangements Across the State

The State Election Commission has enforced strict security measures for smooth and peaceful polling. More than 35,000 police personnel have been deployed across Punjab to prevent any untoward incidents during voting.

Today has also been declared a public holiday in the state due to polling. Sale of liquor has been prohibited during the voting period.

According to the commission, a total of 3,977 polling booths have been set up. Among them, 740 booths have been declared sensitive and 274 booths categorised as highly sensitive.

Around 36,000 employees have been deployed for election duty, with five staff members assigned at each polling station.

Mobile Phones and Eight Other Items Banned Inside Booths

Punjab State Election Commissioner Raj Kamal Chaudhary said nine items have been prohibited inside polling booths this time.

Mobile phones have been completely banned, including switched-off devices. Voters have also been barred from carrying water bottles, ink, knives, screwdrivers, weapons, cameras, matchboxes and lighters inside polling stations.

Officials have advised voters to leave their mobile phones at home before arriving at polling centres.

AAP Has Highest Number of Candidates

According to the State Election Commission, 1,613 candidates are contesting in the eight municipal corporations, while 5,142 candidates are in the fray for municipal councils and 800 candidates for nagar panchayats.

Among political parties, the Aam Aadmi Party has fielded the highest number of candidates at 1,801. The Indian National Congress has 1,550 candidates, followed by the Bharatiya Janata Party with 1,316 and the Shiromani Akali Dal with 1,251 candidates.

The Bahujan Samaj Party has fielded 96 candidates, while 1,528 independents and 13 other candidates are also contesting.

CCTV Surveillance Ordered at All Polling Booths

Following directions from the Punjab and Haryana High Court, CCTV cameras have been installed both inside and outside all polling stations.

The court has directed that the footage must not be destroyed without permission and should be preserved for at least one year.

Election Commissioner Raj Kamal Chaudhary warned against any attempts to disrupt polling, stating that CCTV footage from every booth will remain under the supervision of returning officers and later be stored securely in strong rooms along with DVR systems.