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The counting of votes for the 13 Lok Sabha seats in Punjab, conducted on June 1, will begin at 8 am on Tuesday at 117 counting centres, set up in 48 buildings at 27 locations across the state. To oversee the counting process, 64 counting observers, drawn from all-India services and civil services cadre of various states, have been appointed.

The state’s Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) Sibin C on Monday announced that a team of 64 counting observers has been appointed to oversee the counting process and these experienced officials are tasked with ensuring transparency, efficiency, and strict adherence to the guidelines set by the Election Commission of India.
 
Detailing the arrangements, Sibin C highlighted that while most counting centers are situated at district headquarters, seven are located outside, including Ajnala, Baba Bakala, Abohar, Malout, Dhuri, Chhokra Rahon-Nawanshahr, and Khooni Majra (Kharar). Counting will not take place at the district headquarters in Sangrur and Nawanshahr.

“The security of Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) in the strong rooms at these counting centers has been given utmost priority. These strong rooms are secured with a double-lock system and are under continuous CCTV surveillance,” said the CEO.

Representatives of political parties and authorized personnel can monitor the security via LED screens placed outside each strong room, displaying live footage of the surroundings. A visitor register is maintained to record all visits, and an official conducts daily inspections to ensure compliance with protocols.

“A comprehensive three-tier security system has been implemented around the counting centers. Access is strictly restricted to accredited individuals, and CCTV cameras provide extensive monitoring. Quick response teams are in place to manage any incidents promptly, ensuring the integrity of the electoral process,” said the CEO.

Notably, Punjab recorded a voter turnout of 62.80 percent during the polling on Saturday, a decline of 3.16 percent compared to the 65.96 percent turnout in 2019. Bathinda witnessed the highest turnout at 69.36 percent, while Amritsar recorded the lowest at 56.06 percent.

The focus would be on prominent faces such as BJP's Preneet Kaur, SAD's Harsimrat Kaur Badal, former chief minister Charanjit Singh Channi and state Congress chief Amrinder Singh Raja Warring who are contesting the polls. The stakes were also high for other heavyweights like the BJP's Ravneet Singh Bittu and Congress leader and former deputy chief minister Sukhjinder Singh Randhawa.  Another contest that will be watched closely is the Khadoor Sahib Lok Sabha seat where radical Sikh preacher Amritpal Singh, lodged in Assam's Dibrugarh jail under the National Security Act (NSA), is in the fray as an Independent candidate.

Bathinda witnessed the highest turnout at 69.36 percent while Amritsar recorded the lowest at 56.06, as per the Election Commission data.

Among the prominent faces, BJP nominee and four-time MP Preneet Kaur is seeking re-election from the Patiala parliamentary constituency. Harsimrat Kaur Badal, a three-time MP, and the BJP's Parampal Kaur Sidhu, a former IAS officer, are trying their luck from Bathinda. Congress' Channi and BJP nominee Sushil Rinku were in the fray from the Jalandhar reserved constituency. Punjab Congress chief Warring contested against Bittu from Ludhiana. Randhawa was in the fray from Gurdaspur.  Former diplomat and BJP nominee Taranjit Singh Sandhu contested from Amritsar against sitting MP and Congress candidate Gurjeet Singh Aujla.

Among its 13 candidates, AAP had fielded five cabinet ministers -- Kuldeep Singh Dhaliwal (Amritsar), Laljit Singh Bhullar (Khadoor Sahib), Gurmeet Singh Khuddian (Bathinda), Gurmeet Singh Meet Hayer (Sangrur) and Balbir Singh (Patiala).  Congress candidate Sukhpal Khaira contested from Sangrur while AAP's Karamjit Singh Anmol and the BJP's Hans Raj Hans were in the fray from the Faridkot seat.

SAD (Amritsar) chief Simranjit Singh Mann contested from Sangrur and Sarabjeet Singh Khalsa, the son of Beant Singh, one of the two assassins of late Prime Minister Indira Gandhi, fought from the Faridkot reserved constituency.