Peaceful polling is on for by-elections to 18 Assembly seats spread over four States of Bihar, Madhya Pradesh, Punjab and Karnataka.

About 27 per cent polling was recorded for ten seats of Bihar when reports last came in.

In Madhya Pradesh, polling for the bye-election to three Assembly seats Vijayraghavgarh,Bahoriband and Agar is going on peacefully. Our Bhopal correspondent reports that the polling percentage is 30 per cent so far and long queues of voters are seen out side polling booths in all three seats.

A total of 25 candidates are in the fray in the all three assembly seats. Voting forall three seats will conclude by 6.00 PM this evening.

Moderate to heavy polling has been reported from the three assembly constituencies of Karnataka where polling is underway under heavy security.

In Punjab, peaceful polling is going on both for Patiala urban and Talwandi Sabo constituencies of Punjab Vidhan Sabha. According to official sources in the State Election Commission, 35 to 40 per cent polling is reported from both the constituencies till now.

Tight security is being maintained in both the constituencies. Para military forces have been deployed at all polling booths along with Punjab Police to keep a strict vigil on polling.

Triangular contests are on at both places between Shiromani Akali Dal, Congress and Aam Admi Party. Talwandi Sabo seat has fallen vacant after the MLA from there, Jeet Mohinder Singh joined the Shiromani Akali Dal and resigned from the Vidhan Sabha.

Patiala seat has fallen vacant as Congress MLA from there, Captain Amrinder Singh has resigned after being elected to the Lok Sabha in recent elections.

In Bihar, the BJP has fielded candidates in 9 seats, while giving one seat to its alliance partner Lok Janshakti Party. On the other hand, the Janata Dal (United) and the Rashtriya Janata Dal are contesting from four seats each, whereas the Congress has fielded its candidates from two seats. Prestige is at stake for both the BJP-led NDA and the newly formed grand alliance of the JD(U), RJD and Congress.

In Karnataka, of the three seats, the Congress holds one and the BJP two. The polls will test Chief Minister K. Siddaramaiah’s ability to face an election in the aftermath of the setback in the Lok Sabha elections.

The counting of votes will be taken up on the 25th of this month.