By-elections for Chhattisgarh’s Bhatgaon Assembly constituency are being held on Friday amid tight security arrangements, district officials said. "Polling began at 8 am and will continue till 5 pm," Sarguja district collector Kamalpreet Singh told PTI.
Twelve contestants are in fray for Bhatgaon constituency seat. Around 233 polling booths have been set up for the by-elections, Singh said, adding as many as 1.74 lakh voters in the area are expected to exercise their franchise.
All arrangements have been made to ensure smooth and peaceful polling. Large number of police force, including CRPF, district force and Anti-Terrorist Squad, have been deployed, Singh said.
The by-elections were necessitated following the death of sitting BJP Legislator Ravishankar Tripathi. BJP has appointed Rajni, wife of Ravishankar Tripathi, as their candidate. While Congress has fielded Umeshwar Sharan Sinhdev. Counting of votes will be held on October 12.