After weeks of acrimonious campaigning, the stage is set for the first of three-phase voting in Madhya Pradesh where 1,44,25,460 electorate including 69,12,431 women spread over nine parliamentary constituencies are expected to exercise their franchise on Thursday at 16,592 polling stations.
Voting is scheduled in Satna, Rewa, Sidhi, Shahdol, Jabalpur, Mandla, Balaghat, Chhindwara and Hoshangabad. Of these, Mandla and Shahdol are reserved for Scheduled Tribes.Among the total 118 candidates trying their fortune are Union Minister Kamal Nath (Chhindwara) and the Assembly’s ex-leader of the Opposition Ajay Singh (Satna).
The maximum number of nominees in a single constituency is 16 in Balaghat while Hoshangabad has the least numbering eight. Other figures are 14 each in Satna, Rewa, Sidhi and Shahdol; 15 in Jabalpur, 13 in Chhindwara and 10 in Mandla.
Polling would be conducted in these constituencies barring Balaghat’s Paraswada, lanji and Baihar from 7 am to 6 pm. The schedule was extended by an hour compared to previous elections in order to enhance voting percentage. However, polling would be held between 7 am and 4 pm in Naxal-affected Paraswada, lanji and Baihar.
A close look at the electorate reveals that those in the 18-19 age-group number 4.44 lakh including 1.83 lakh women while the 20-29 age group comprises 44.54 lakh voters including 20.55 lakh females.The phase has 10,000 service voters and two non-resident Indians. Mandla boasts the most 18.24 lakh electors whereas Chhindwara has the least 14 lakh.
Tight security arrangements are in place within all constituencies. Helicopters would be pressed into service for surveillance in insurgency-hit Balaghat District. While police and polling staff would utilise state-of-the-art information technology for communication, interstate borders were fortified and strict vigil is being maintained.
Election Commission has appointed four kinds of observers for monitoring first phase of elections in the state including 10 general observers, nine election expenses observers, one police observer (Balaghat) and 2,426 micro observers.