Chandigarh/Panaji:  Voting began in all 117 assembly constituencies in Punjab and for 40 seats in Goa today amid tight security. The voting began at 8 am and is slated to continue till evening hours. 

Both the states are set for elections with AAP for the first time contesting elections in both the states. The voting will decide the future of 251 candidates in Goa and 1,145 candidates in Punjab for 117 seats, including 81 women and one transgender candidate standing in Punjab. 

While the main contest in Punjab will remain between SAD and Congress, in Goa AAP is looking for a major upset. Goa had seen the highest turn out in 2012 during the general elections when close to 11.08 lakh registered voters had excercised their right to vote. In pnjab too the massive turn out and the popularity of Modi had helped the Badals win a secon consequtive win in the state. 

There are close to 22,000 polling stations set up in Punjab today. The main parties in Goa in the fray being the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party, Indian National Congress, Aam Aadmi Party, Nationalist Congress Party, Shiv Sena, Maharashtrawadi Gomantak Party, Goa Suraksha Manch, among others. 

Over 8,000 additional paramilitary personnel, in addition to the state police, have been despatched to the 1,642 polling stations across the state and other strategic locations to maintain law and order.