Punjab Assembly elections: Total of 18 FIRs registered in poll-related incidents today, says Chief Electoral Officer

Chandigarh (Punjab): The Punjab Chief Electoral Officer S Karuna Raju on Sunday informed that 18 FIRs have been registered across the state in 'minor incidents' that were reported during the assembly polls in the state.

"A total of 18 FIR's have been registered. All of them were minor incidents, mostly altercations between groups. These FIRs have been registered to avoid any untoward incidents. A detailed report will be submitted tomorrow," said Raju.

Meanwhile, a total of 63.44 per cent of voter turnout is reported till 5 pm in the state.

"The election was peaceful. It was like a festival here. Special care was taken for specially-abled and old age people," Raju added.

Voting on 24,740 polling booths for 117 constituencies in Punjab took place on Sunday. In Punjab, over 2.14 crore voters decided the fate of 1,304 candidates who are in the fray.

Punjab is witnessing a multi-corner contest this time with Congress, Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), Shiromani Akali Dal-Bahujan Samaj Party alliance, and the coalition of Bharatiya Janata Party-former Chief Minister Amarinder Singh's Punjab Lok Congress party as key players.

In the 2017 Punjab Assembly polls, Congress won 77 seats in the 117-member House whereas Shiromani Akali Dal could win only 18 seats.

On the other hand, AAP emerged as the second-largest party with 20 seats. The counting of votes will be done on March 10. (ANI)