Polling for the Jabera Assembly byelection in Madhya Pradesh was conducted peacefully on Saturday after a volley of charges and counter-charges regarding violation of the model code of conduct were hurled against each other by the two main rivals — the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party and Congress — in the final run-up to this election.
According to a spokesman speaking on behalf of the state chief electoral officer, polling went off smoothly across the rain-swept Jabera constituency.
Preliminary reports said about 65 per cent voters had used their right to franchise when polling ended on Saturday and 59.44 per cent voters (63.31 per cent males and 55.08 per cent women) had cast their votes by 4 pm. Counting of votes for this byelection will be held on June 29.
The Jabera byelection has become a prestige issue for both the BJP and Congress. For the Congress, it has turned into an acid test since it faces the challenge of retaining this seat, which was held by former state minister Ratnesh Solomon till his demise earlier this year.
He was the brother-in-law of senior Congress leader and former Chhattisgarh chief minister Ajit Jogi.
Contesting this election from the Congress side is Dr Tanya Solomon, daughter of Ratnesh Solomon.