With the by-election for the Ludhiana West Assembly constituency just days away, Punjab’s Chief Electoral Officer Sibin C has set a clear tone for strict vigilance and seamless arrangements. During a detailed video conference held from Chandigarh on Monday, Sibin C reviewed the final stages of election preparedness with key district and police officials. The meeting brought together Deputy Commissioner and District Election Officer Himanshu Jain, Commissioner of Police Swapan Sharma, and Returning Officer Rupinder Pal Singh, among other senior election functionaries.
At the heart of the discussion was the enforcement of heightened surveillance measures during the crucial final stretch of the electoral process. The CEO instructed the district administration and police to intensify monitoring in the last 72, 48, and 24 hours before the vote, as well as maintain continuous vigilance until the conclusion of the election cycle. A key directive included the mandatory departure of all non-local political leaders and campaigners by 6 PM on June 17, marking the official end of campaigning in the constituency.
Determined to maintain the integrity of the election, the Election Commission has ordered 24×7 CCTV-based surveillance across Ludhiana West to prevent any illegal activities such as liquor smuggling, distribution of cash, narcotics, or material incentives intended to influence voters. The CEO made it clear that any complaint about attempts to sway the electorate through such inducements must be acted upon immediately and without leniency.
The Punjab CEO also demonstrated a proactive approach to voter welfare amid the ongoing heatwave conditions. Emphasis was laid on ensuring basic amenities like drinking water, shaded waiting zones, toilets, and special cooling stations like ‘chhabils’ at polling venues. Authorities were also advised to sensitize voters on COVID-19 precautions as a responsible civic practice, though no mandatory restrictions are currently in place.
In terms of infrastructure and technological readiness, live webcasting has been planned for every polling booth to allow real-time oversight of the voting process. The CEO personally reviewed the setup of polling stations, strong rooms, counting centers, and the availability of emergency medical services to ensure a smooth and safe election experience.
Security also remains a top priority, with 13 polling booths designated as critical and scheduled to be guarded by paramilitary forces. Across the Ludhiana West constituency, 54 security checkpoints have been established to track movement and deter any disruptive elements. The administration has emphasized that any breach of the Model Code of Conduct will be met with swift corrective action.
The constituency comprises 1,74,437 registered voters, including 89,602 men, 84,825 women, and 10 voters from the third gender. A total of 194 polling booths have been established at 66 distinct locations. Among these, voters will see 10 model polling booths, one all-women-staffed booth, a green-themed eco-friendly booth, and another managed by specially-abled staff from the PWD.
To extend inclusivity, the election team has also carried out home voting for elderly and physically challenged citizens, with 239 voters participating in this doorstep polling initiative. This thoughtful effort underlines the Election Commission’s aim to ensure no voter is left behind due to health or mobility challenges.
Voting is scheduled to take place on June 19 from 7:00 AM to 6:00 PM. Counting of ballots will commence at 8:00 AM on June 23 at the designated counting center located at Khalsa College for Women in Ludhiana. Both administrative and police leadership have assured that all preparations are complete and that Election Commission directives will be executed with precision and urgency.
With the stakes high and administrative machinery operating in full swing, Ludhiana West is poised for a closely watched and tightly controlled democratic exercise that will reflect the Election Commission’s commitment to free, fair, and inclusive elections.
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