Campaigning in poll-bound Madhya Pradesh concluded at 5 pm on Monday, with Assembly elections scheduled on Wednesday. The Election Commission has barred political rallies.
The polling in Madhya Pradesh would be held in single phase on November 28. In the 230 seats, there are 65,367 polling booths, which is about 21 per cent more than the last time
In most of the constituencies there is direct fight between BJP and Congress. The saffron party's campaign in Madhya Pradesh was spearheaded by political heavyweights, including Prime Minister Narendra Modi, BJP President Amit Shah, Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan, who is straining every nerve to secure a fourth term. While the rival campaign was led by Congress President Rahul Gandhi and other senior party leaders who addressed several rallies to woo the voters.
Chief Electoral Officer VL Kantha Rao told media persons, "I can assure you that with this increase in the number of polling booths, no voter in Madhya Pradesh will have to travel more than 2 kms to vote.”
Taking about the poll panel's action against illegal inducements being used to lure voters in Madhya Pradesh, Rao said suspect cash, drugs and other items worth over Rs 63.45 crore have been seized in the State till now as compared to more than Rs 27.61 crore of such seizures during the entire poll period in 2013.
A total of 3,00,782 workers have been posted at 65,367 polling centers (26 associate polling centers) to conduct Vidhan Sabha Election-2018 including 2,54,878 male and 45,904 female workers. Total 3,046 polling booths will be run by female workers and 160 PWD booth will run by handicapped employees. Twelve thousand 363 Micro Observers have been deployed at the polling booths including 12,211 male and 152 female micro observers to ensure fair and free election.