Punjab: Government employees deployed on polling duty for the upcoming panchayat elections have been cautioned not to indulge in any kind of negligence or deliberate lapse during the entire process. They have been asked to ensure that the elections are conducted in a transparent manner. The direction was given during a special meeting held at the office of deputy commissioner Dr Pallavi on Thursday. Adequate arrangements have been made to conduct the panchayat elections on October 15 in 176 villages across the three subdivisions. “Our intention is to ensure that all voters cast their votes without any pressure, inducement or discrimination,” Pallavi said. The DC said 176 sarpanches and 1,178 panches will be elected by 1,98,503 eligible voters, including 1,05,130 men and 93,373 women.