Re-polling on May 19 in Asaoti polling station in Haryana
Chandigarh: Polling at 88-Asaoti polling station in Faridabad parliamentary constituency will be held again on May 19. An EC official said, “Under the sub-section (2) of Section 58 of the Representation of the People Act, 1951, the Election Commission of India has declared the poll taken on May 12 at 88-Asaoti polling station of 85 Prithla Assembly segment of 10-Faridabad Parliamentary Constituency to be void and appointed May 19 as the date for taking repoll/fresh poll at the said polling station with hours of poll from 7 am to 6 pm.” The re-polling has been ordered after a BJP polling agent was arrested on charges of influencing the voters at the polling station on May 12. A video had gone viral where the accused pressed the EVM button thrice on behalf of as many women voters in the garb of helping them. Union Minister Krishan Pal Gujjar is pitted against Congress’ Avtar Singh Bhadana and AAP state chief Naveen Jaihind in Faridabad.
WILL MAKE BATHINDA MEDICAL HUB: HARSIMRAT
Union Food Processing Industries Minister and SAD’s Bathinda MP Harsimrat Kaur Badal on Wednesday said that she would strive to make Bathinda a national level medical hub in her next term in office if re-elected which would not only create a vast number of job opportunities but also take the city’s economy to the next level. “While AIIMS would create thousands of new jobs with its OPD wing set to start in another few months, I wanted to build upon this. I feel with AIIMS in place more specialty medical services could be brought to Bathinda so that it becomes a magnet for provision of health services in the country,” she said while adding that she would also strive to take education services in Bathinda to the next level.
Plaint AGAINST PAHRA FOR THREATENING VOTERS
Punjab BJP on Wednesday submitted a complaint to the poll panel against Congress’ Gurdaspur MLA Barindermeet Singh Pahra alleging him of threatening the voters of Bhumbli village “to pressurize them to vote in Congress’ favour”. In a complaint to the returning officer, SAD-BJP combine candidate Sunny Deol’s advocate Anil Mehta submitted a video wherein Pahara was seen threatening people openly. “During a public rally on May 12 while canvassing for Congress' candidate Sunil Jakhar, Pahara threatened the voters by telling them that he will get to know to whom they will cast their vote and therefore they should think twice before casting their vote to anyone except the Congress' candidate,” read the complaint adding that the same can be seen in the video submitted duly with the office of the returning officer and the election commission.
FACILITIES TO BE given TO VOTERS ON VOTING DAY
Punjab Chief Electoral Officer S Karuna Raju on Wednesday issued directions for compliance of Election Commission of India’s guidelines regarding facilities to be provided to voters on Voting Day, May 19, in letter and spirit. As per the guidelines, posters are to be displayed as per requirement for facilitation of voters, drinking water facility, chairs for sitting, tent, medical kits, besides arrangement of electricity for fans and setting up of help desk, sinages for toilets, volunteers, creche and attendant facility for kids accompanying voters, arrangement of voter line and posters for general assistance of voters.
11 ALTERNATIVE DOCUMENTS FOR IDENTIFICATION PROOF
People will be able to cast their vote with 11 alternative identity proofs besides Elector Photo Identity Card (EPIC) during the parliamentary polls in Punjab on May 19. Punjab CEO Dr S Karuna Raju said that those not having the elector’s photo identity card can exercise their franchise using alternative documents including Aadhaar card, passport, driving license or service ID cards (with photograph) issued by central or state governments or public sector undertakings. The Election Commission has also allowed Bank or Post office passbooks with photographs, PAN card, MGNREGA job card, Health insurance smart card and Pension documents total 11 documents to be used as identity proof.
EC ASKS CANDIDATES TO MUST ADVERTISE THEIR CRIMINAL ANTECEDENTS THRICE BEFORE MAY 17
Punjab CEO S Karuna Raju on Wednesday appealed to all the contesting candidates to advertise their criminal antecedents thrice in print and electronic media before May 17. Dr Raju said that in pursuance of directions issued by the Supreme Court, the Election Commission of India had amended form-26 being part of the nomination form thereby mandating the candidates contesting parliamentary elections to provide complete information regarding the pending criminal cases against them or cases in which they have been convicted. Such candidates and their parties would be bound to give information in this regard thrice to the general public through print and electronic media.
TEWARI PROMISES DRINKING WATER TO EACH VILLAGE
Congress candidate from Sri Anandpur Sahib Manish Tewari on Wednesday promised to ensure regular supply of drinking water in all villages falling in all the assembly segments in kandi areas, in a time bound manner. “I am appalled to learn that even after 70 years of independence, several villages are still not getting proper drinking water in most of the assembly segments like Balachaur, Garhshankar, Anandpur Sahib, Ropar and Kharar...It is my duty and responsibility to manage funds, whether from the World Bank or the Reserve Bank of India, and it is a promise to all of you that you will be getting clean drinking water very soon,” he said. Responding to other main problem in the area that of the wild animals damaging the crops, Tewari said that the Punjab Government had already enacted a law in this regard and he will facilitate the electrified wiring of the area “right from Naya Gaon up to the last village, which may not necessarily fall within this parliamentary constituency”.
PUNJAB DECLARES PAID HOLIDAY FOR HP, UT WORKMEN ON MAY 19
Punjab Government, to enable the workmen working in shops, factories and commercial establishments situated in the adjoining area with the state of Himachal Pradesh and the Union Territory of Chandigarh, the voters of Himachal Pradesh and UT working in the state of Punjab, has been allowed a paid holiday on the day of poll, May 19, 2019 (Sunday), so that these voters working in the Punjab State are able to cast their votes.
Bansal holds door-to-door campaign in Sector 22
Pawan Kumar Bansal, the Congress candidate from Chandigarh for the forthcoming Lok Sabha elections went door-to-door in Shastri Market of Sector 22 to seek votes. Pardeep Chhabra, the president of CTCC also accompanied him. Accompanied by his supporters, Bansal met every shopkeeper one-to-one and it took him more than an hour to complete his visit. During this time, the former Union Minister assured the shopkeepers to address the issue of systematic shopping experience there so that congestion around the market is addressed. Meanwhile, several Sikh organizations and gurudwaras of the city have extended support to Bansal.
Industry associations came forward in support of Kher
Some industry associations and social organizations have came forward in support of BJP candidate for Chandigarh Lok Sabha seat , Kirron Kher as her campaign trail reached its peak, a day after Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s rally. Representative from Industry associations under one banner met Kher to assure their support. Delegation comprising of Pankaj Khanna of Industry Association of Chandigarh, Naveen Miglani of Chandigarh Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Yudhvir Kaura of Laghu Udhyog Bharti, Chander Verma of Converted Plot Owners Associations and Avi Bhasin of CIA met Kher and apprised with their challenges which includes conversion of lease hold properties to free hold, roll back of plenty in misuse or violation, reduction in collector rate. Kher assured to look into their demand, if elected once again.