The stage is set for polling for the 230-member assembly in Madhya Pradesh and 40-member Mizoram Assembly tomorrow. Polling materials are being distributed to polling parties who are expected to reach their polling booths by this evening. Campaigning in the two states ended at five yesterday evening. Counting of votes will be taken up in Madhya Pradesh on 8th December and in Mizoram on the 9th.
In Madhya Pradesh, more than four crore, 64 lakh voters will decide the fate of 2,583 candidates including 200 women in all 230 assembly segments. The prominent candidates include Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan, former union minister Suresh Pachori and leader of opposition in the state assembly, Ajay Singh. 552 companies of security forces and more than forty thousand home guard jawans have been deployed for smooth conduct of polls. Two helicopters are keeping vigil in the Naxal affected Balaghat and Singrauli districts. The state Chief Electoral Officer Jaideep Govind told AIR that around eight thousand new polling booths have been set up to facilitate the voters.
Around eight thousand polling booths have been set up in Madhya Pradesh so that not more than 1500 voters are present at any booth. We have also tried to set up these booths within a radius of five kilometers and auxiliary booths have also been set up.
AIR Bhopal Correspondent reports, the Election Commission has given emphasis on increasing voting percentage among youth, women and urban voters.
About 50 lakh youth voters will exercise their franchise for the first time in the state. Maximum 32 candidates are contesting from Mehgaon segment of Bhind district while minimum two candidates are in the fray in Pansemal segment of Badwani district. BJP has fielded candidates on all the 230 segment while congress candidates are in the fray in 229 segments. Candidates of BSP, SP, NCP, CPI, CPIM and other parties and independents are also trying their luck in most of the segments.
More than 6.9 lakh voters including 3.5 lakh female voters will decide the fate of the next government in Mizoram. Out of the total 1,126 polling stations in the state, of which 94, mostly in border areas, have been identified as 'critical' where security has been beefed up. An additional 31 companies of Central para-military forces and state police of neighbouring states have been deployed for the polls besides seven armed battalions of the state police to ensure free and fair election. Our Correspondent reports that for the first time in the country, Voter-Verified Paper Audit Trails are being used in the Mizoram Assembly polls.
The Voter-Verified Paper Audit Trail (VVPAT) will enable electors to see a printout of their ballot -displaying the name, election symbol and serial number of the chosen candidate. The VVPATs are being used in 217 polling stations in ten assembly constituencies of Aizwal District of the total 40 assembly segments in Mizoram. The Election Commission has put up five to six visual advertisements for the convenience of voters. The concerned returning officers are also displaying visual demonstrations of the VVPATs at the polling to educate the voters about the new system.
In the national capital Delhi, campaigning for the Assembly polls is picking up with prominent leaders of political parties addressing rallies to garner votes. Congress President Sonia Gandhi will address a rally in Shastri Park today. She is expected to focus on the achievements and development done by Sheila Dikshit-led government. Yesterday, BJP's Prime Ministerial candidate Narendra Modi addressed a rally in Dwarka area of the city. He criticised the government for failing to control rising prices of essential commodities.
AIR Correspondent reports, Delhi Chief Electoral Office is running a campaign – “Dil Mein Hai Dilli – Vote Karenge” – to boost voter turnout. Bollywood actress Soha Ali Khan, cricketer Virat Kohli, and TV actress Toral Rasputra, better known as Anandi of Balika Vadhu, have been roped in as ambassadors to popularize the campaign. They are part of various print and electronic advertisements, besides road shows to encourage citizens, especially youth and women, to come out and vote. Voting will take place on 4th December and counting on the 8th.
In Rajasthan, campaigning is in full swing for 199 Assembly seats. Polling for Churu Assembly constituency will be conducted on the 13th of December due to the death of BSP candidate. Today, BJP leader Narendra Modi, CPM leaders Sitaram Yechuri and Prakash Karat and BSP leader Mayawati are addressing election rallies in different parts of the state. For Congress candidates, Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot and senior Party leader Dr.C P Joshi are active in campaigning. Our Correspondent reports from Jhunjhunu on the election scenario of northern Rajasthan.
In all the constituencies of Shekhawati there is a tough contest between congress and BJP. This is the region where CPM is also active and won 2 seats in previous election. BSP and Independents at 2 and NCP at one seat emerged as challenge in this election. Water for irrigation, electricity and demand of higher education institutions are election issues but due to triangular or multi cornered contest in most of the constituencies major factor counted for getting support of people will be the image of candidate.
