Electioneering for the Garoth by-election scheduled for Saturday came to an end on Thursday at 5 pm. The State Government has announced general and public holiday on the voting day under the Negotiable Instruments Act in the poll-bound areas.
Employers, supervisors and managers of all business and commercial establishments, industrial units and all other establishments have been directed to provide voting facility to their workers for Garoth by-election on June 27.
Through a circular, the labour Commissioner has directed them to ensure adherence to provisions of the Representation of the People Act. The Act provides for paid holiday to workers of all business and commercial establishments, industrial units and all other establishments for exercising franchise. However, these provisions will not apply to the electors whose absence may cause substantial loss to their employment.
Traditionally, the contest in Garoth is between Congress and BJP only, but this time, a total of eight candidates are in the fray. Taking the by-election seriously, State Congress president is camping in Garoth while the ruling BJP has also fielded its State unit president and MP Nandkumar Chouhan and its organizational general secretary, Arvind Menon, who too are staying in the area to monitor day-to-day campaigning.
Meanwhile, the Election Commission has allocated four companies of CRPF for peaceful conduct of the by-election. Two companies of State police have already been deployed in the constituency which is close to Rajasthan border.
The by-poll was necessitated following the death of BJP MlA Rajesh Yadav.The counting of votes would be held on June 30 that would be followed by declaration of result on same day.
The Chief Electoral Officer of Madhya Pradesh has made all the arrangements at the various polling stations.