Chandigarh/ Punjab (March 13, 2014): As per information Five Lok Sabha constituencies have been identified by the Election Commission as “expenditure sensitive” in Punjab for the forthcoming Lok Sabha elections.
As per Punjab Chief Election Officer (CEO) V. K. Singh: “Gurdaspur, Amritsar, Bathinda, Ferozepur and Patiala have been declared as expenditure sensitive for the April 30 Lok Sabha elections for the 13 constituencies in the state”.
The CEO said that additional observers would be appointed to monitor expenditure in these five constituencies.
“Static Surveillance Teams and Expenditure Observers would be more than normal in these constituencies,” he reportedly told media-persons at Chandigarh on March 11.
Bathinda constituency is expected to witness an intense poll-fight as Punjab CM’s daughter-in-law in law and Punjab Deputy CM’s wife Harsimrat Badal is contesting election from this constituency. She is also sitting MP from this constituency. On the other hand split away member of the Badal clan, and president of People’s Party of Punjab – Manpreet Badal, has joined hands with the opposition Congress party to take on Harsimrat Badal from Bathinda.
It is notable that drugs, liquor and money is openly used in Punjab to lure voters. Despite all it’s efforts Elections Commission had failed to curb these malpractices in previous paramilitary and assembly elections in Punjab.