Over 1.72 Lakh voters will decide the fate of 12 candidates for just one Assembly seat in Shahkot on Monday.

Addressing a press conference on Saturday, the Punjab Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) Dr S Karuna Raju said that the bypoll slated on 28 May will be conducted under tight security and all the arrangements have been done for smooth process of the bypoll.

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He also said that 1,416 personnel of polling staff and 1,022 personnel of Punjab police and Border Security Force (BSF) has been deputed in Shahkot.

He said that a total of 1,72676 voters will decide the fate of 12 candidates in this constituency. Dr Raju said there are 236 polling stations in the constituency, out of which 103 are covering with webcasting.

He further said 80 micro observers have been appointed and they are working as the eyes and ears of the Commission. The CEO said that entire constituency is covered with Voter Verifiable Paper Audit Trail (VVPAT) Machines.

“There are 2,201 arms licenses in this constituency, out of which 2,005 has been deposited and the remaining weapons will be deposited soon,” he said.

Dr Raju further apprised that cash of 17.50 lakh have been forfeited and 45,750 milliliter liquor has also been seized.

The star campaigner can take up to cash of Rs one lakh with him, while the ordinary person cannot carry cash of more than Rs 50,000 with him, he elaborated.

Dr Raju further said that voting will be held from 7 am to 6 pm and polling agents of all political parties have been asked to arrive at polling stations at 6 am.

He said that dry day has been declared from period of 6 pm of 26 May to 6 pm of 28 May in the constituency along with adjoining area of three kilometer of the constituency.

“Voter slips to 95 per cent electors have been distributed so far and the remaining will be distributed by 27 May,” Dr Raju said.

CEO also said that there were total 31 complaints received, out of which 30 are of general nature and one is of movement of illegal liquor. A total of 18 complaints have been resolved and remaining will be disposed of soon, he said.

Earlier, Dr Raju also held a meeting with representatives of political parties and apprised them about the whole election process.