Is Voting Underway for the Tarn Taran Assembly Seat in Punjab?

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Is Voting Underway for the Tarn Taran Assembly Seat in Punjab?

Synopsis

Polling for the Tarn Taran Assembly seat in Punjab is underway, reflecting strong voter engagement as electors arrived early at polling stations. With a diverse range of candidates competing in this critical by-election, the stakes are high following the untimely death of the former MLA. The elections have garnered attention due to alleged interference by local authorities.

Key Takeaways

  • Polling began at 7 a.m. and will continue until 6 p.m.
  • 1,92,838 total voters in the constituency.
  • Fifteen candidates competing for the seat.
  • Election Commission has suspended local SSP for interference.
  • Vote counting scheduled for November 14.

Chandigarh, Nov 11 (NationPress) Voting for the Tarn Taran Assembly seat in Punjab commenced on Tuesday, with many electors arriving at polling stations even before the polls officially opened at 7 a.m. The polling will run until 6 p.m. Chief Electoral Officer Sibin C. confirmed that there are a total of 1,92,838 voters in the constituency, comprising 1,00,933 men, 91,897 women, and eight third-gender voters.

“There have been no reported delays in initiating the polling process,” stated an electoral officer to IANS. The vote counting is scheduled for November 14. This bypoll was necessitated by the passing of AAP MLA Kashmir Singh Sohal, who had secured the seat with 52,935 votes, defeating SAD’s Harmeet Singh Sandhu.

A total of fifteen candidates are contesting, including Sukhwinder Kaur from the Shiromani Akali Dal, Harjit Singh Sandhu from the BJP, Harmeet Singh Sandhu from the AAP, and Karanbir Singh from the Congress.

According to the Chief Electoral Officer, there are 1,357 service voters, 1,657 voters aged over 85, 306 NRI voters, and 1,488 voters with disabilities. The count of young voters aged between 18 and 19 years is 3,333.

A total of 222 polling stations have been established across 114 locations, with 60 being urban and 162 rural. The Election Commission of India recently ordered the suspension of Tarn Taran SSP Ravjot Kaur Grewal for allegedly meddling in the by-election process.

This decision followed a meeting between SAD President Sukhbir Singh Badal and the EC-appointed observer, during which a written complaint was presented regarding the misuse of power by the SSP to benefit the ruling AAP. The SAD accused the AAP government of leveraging the state police to sway the by-election. In their memorandum, they claimed that party affiliates and leaders from Tarn Taran had been “forcibly detained” by police ahead of the bypoll, alleging that the official machinery was being misused to target candidate Sukhwinder Kaur Randhawa, her family, and SAD supporters.

Point of View

I believe the ongoing bypoll in Tarn Taran serves as a significant barometer for political dynamics in Punjab. With an engaged electorate and serious allegations of interference, it is crucial for the electoral process to remain transparent and fair. The outcome will undoubtedly reflect the sentiments of the people and shape future political strategies.
NationPress
12/11/2025

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the significance of the Tarn Taran bypoll?
The Tarn Taran bypoll is significant as it follows the death of the previous MLA and represents the electorate's response to ongoing political dynamics in Punjab.
How many candidates are contesting in this election?
Fifteen candidates are contesting for the Tarn Taran Assembly seat.
What are the voting hours for the Tarn Taran Assembly seat?
Voting for the Tarn Taran Assembly seat will take place from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m.
When will the votes be counted?
Votes for the Tarn Taran bypoll will be counted on November 14.
What allegations have been made regarding the election process?
There have been allegations of interference by local authorities, particularly the Tarn Taran SSP, which has raised concerns about the fairness of the election.
Nation Press