Record 83% turnout in Goa; 70 pc in Punjab; polls peaceful: EC

New Delhi: Goa has reported a record voter turnout of 83 per cent till 1700 hrs today in the polling for the 40-member Assembly while in Punjab 70 per cent polling, for 117 seats, was reported, the Election Commission said here today. In the previous Goa Assembly election in 2012, 81 per cent polling had taken place, while polling percentage in Punjab was 78.6 per cent last time. The election in both the states was by and large peaceful.

Elaborate security arrangements were made to ensure smooth polling, Deputy Election Commissioners -- Umesh Sinha and Sandeep Saxena -- told a joint press conference here after the polling. The final polling figures were likely to be revised after details come in, they said. The poll watchdog said this time they had paid special attention to the seizure of liquor and drugs. Rs 13-crore worth liquor, about Rs 8-crore worth drugs and narcotics besides more than Rs 26-crore worth gold were seized in Punjab.

Moreover, Rs 58.02-crore in cash was also seized. The polling in Goa, which started at 0700 hrs, concluded at 1700 hrs. There are 1,642 polling booths across the state. There are 251 candidates contesting the elections, out of which 232 are male. There are 11.08-lakh registered voters entitled to exercise their franchise. In Punjab, there are about two-crore voters -- precisely 1,98,79069 -- where 1,145 candidates, including a third gender and 81 women, are in the fray. There are over six-lakh first time voters. (UNI)