20062025-LT-01.qxd 6/20/2025 12:42 AM Page 1 c m y b Ludhiana tribune SENIOR CITIZENSLEAD THE WAY, CAST VOTES IN WEE HOURS CELEBRITIES SHARE STORIES BEHIND FIRST LUXURY BUY BRAD PITT TALKS ABOUT NEW FILM F1, HIS NEW HAIRSTYLE Senior citizens were among the first to arrive at polling booths to cast votes for Ludhiana West bypoll. P2 For these TV actors, their first luxury buy was more than just a purchase; it was a moment of pride & emotion. P3 Brad Pitt recently talked about his latest look at the New York City premiere of his new movie F1. P3 » » FORECAST PARTLY CLOUDY MAX 35°C | MIN 28°C YESTERDAY MAX 36°C | MIN 28°C SUNSET FRIDAY 7.27 PM SUNRISE SATURDAY 5:22 AM » FRIDAY | 20 JUNE 2025 | LUDHIANA 51.33% voter turnout, polling peaceful In initial two hours, turnout was as low as 8.50%; EC deploys heavy forces in constituency Akali, AAP workers clash over ‘fake voting’ Sukhmeet Bhasin Tribune News Service LUDHIANA (W) Ludhiana, June 19 High drama unfolded in the final hours of the polling for the Ludhiana West byelection as workers of the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) and Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) were involved in a heated confrontation and scuffle outside a polling booth set up in a school of Jawaddi Kalan. The clash reportedly erupted when SAD workers alleged that AAP workers were indulging in bogus voting. According to eyewitnesses, the situation escalated quickly, with both sides hurling accusations at each other and engaging in a brief physical altercation. The SAD workers claimed that multiple fake votes were being cast by AAP workers using voter slips of absentee voters and when they objected, they were threatened and pushed. BYPOLL Shivani Bhakoo Clockwise from top left: A woman casts her vote at a polling booth; cops outside a polling station; and residents show their Voter ID cards at polling booths in Ludhiana West segment. which was comparatively high than the 2022 elections, which recorded 29.01 per cent till 1 pm. Till 3 pm in the 2022 elections, voter turnout was 41.04 per cent while on Thursday, it was 41.4 per cent. By 5:30 pm, the polling percentage was 49.07 per cent. The voting ended in the evening with 51.33 per cent turnout. Voters, including youngsters, women, men, differently abled and senior citizens, c m y b were seen casting their votes at polling stations. The voters were not allowed to take their mobile phones inside the booths and the same were deposited outside with polling staff. The administration had arranged potable water at many booths for visitors due Continued on page 2 HIMANSHU MAHAJAN Ludhiana, June 19 The polling for the Ludhiana West byelection, which was held here on Thursday, was reported to be largely peaceful, with 51.33 per cent voter turnout. Though in the initial two hours, the voter turnout was as low as 8.50 per cent, as the day progressed, the voting started picking up in all 66 polling stations. To conduct the poll in a fair and transparent manner, heavy police and armed forces were deployed by the Election Commission in the entire constituency. Except for sporadic incidents of allegations by a few voters that their names were cut from the voters’ list, or fake voting was done, no major unruly scene was reported from anywhere during the entire election process. General Observer Rajiv Kumar said he had personally visited 44 polling stations, where voting was held in a peaceful manner. The polling percentage by 1 pm was 32.42 per cent, HIMANSHU MAHAJAN Tribune News Service “We caught people redhanded who were trying to cast multiple votes. When we raised our voice, the AAP workers attacked us,” an Akali worker alleged. The AAP members, however, denied the allegations and instead accused the SAD workers of trying to create chaos and intimidate voters in the closing hours of the election. The situation drew the attention of the police deployed at the polling station, who rushed to the spot and intervened to bring the situation under control outside the booth to prevent further flare-ups. Even SAD candidate Parupkar Singh Ghuman reached the scene and pacified the SAD workers. Commissioner of Police Swapan Sharma said he was not aware about the matter but he would get the same checked and action would be taken against the guilty. SAD and AAP workers indulge in a scuffle in Jawaddi Kalan.