Brisk polling reported in Punjab and Uttarakhand

Chandigarh/Dehradun, Jan.30 (ANI): Brisk polling was reported in the assembly constituencies of Punjab and Uttarakhand on Monday, despite the presence of heavy security.

Latest reports said that Punjab registered a voter turnout of around 65 per cent, while the voter turnout in Uttarakhand was around 70 per cent. A final confirmation is expected later this evening of the actual voter turnout in the two states.

The elections in Punjab and Uttarakhand will decide who will occupy the 187 seats in the legislative assemblies of Punjab and Uttarakhand.

Polling began on a slow note due to the early morning chill in both states, but picked up as the day progressed.

Barring minor skirmishes in Ludhiana, Bathinda and Amritsar in Punjab, polling was by and large peaceful, officials said.

While there are 1078 contestants vying for 117 seats in Punjab, there are 866 candidates vying for 70 seats in Uttarakhand.

In Punjab, a 1.7 crore electorate cast its vote at 19,841 polling stations across 22 districts.

In Uttarakhand, nearly 70 per cent of 63-lakh-strong electorate exercised their franchise.

Counting to votes in the two states will take place on March 6. (ANI)