The electors will cast their vote in Jind Assembly constituency bypoll on Monday.
“All necessary arrangements have been put in place for smooth and peaceful conduct of polling for the bypoll to the Jind Assembly seat,” Sub Divisional Magistrate and Returning Officer of Jind Vidhan Sabha constituency, Virendra Sehrawat said.
The keenly-watched Jind bypoll is seen as a three-cornered electoral battle with BJP’s Krishan Middha, son of late INLD MLA Hari Chand Middha, Congress’ heavyweight Randeep Surjewala and Jannayak Janta Party’s Digvijay Chautala, great grandson of former Deputy Prime Minister Devi Lal in the fray.
The Indian National Lok Dal, which is facing a major challenge to retain its seat, has fielded Umed Singh Redu.
The bypoll was necessitated following the death of INLD legislator Hari Chand Middha in August last year.
As many as 3000 personnel and 500 home guards, one CRPF company and one RAF have been deployed to ensure smooth conduct of polling.
SDM and returning officer, Virendra Sehrawat said Jind Assembly constituency has a total of 1,72,774 voters, of which women voters are 80, 556 and male voters are 92, 208.
“There are 71 polling booths in rural areas of this constituency and 103 polling booths in urban areas. These include 16 auxiliary polling booths,” he said.
As many as 21candidates including two women have entered the fray.
The sensitive and highly sensitive polling booths of Jind Vidhan Sabha constituency has been identified and additional security arrangements has been ensured in these polling stations.
Out of total 174 polling booths, 26 are highly sensitive and 32 are sensitive booths, Sehrawat said.
He said that police force in large number has been deputed for the peaceful conduct of Jind bye-elections. Additional police forces have been deployed at sensitivities and highly sensitive booths.
Jind Assembly segment has been divided into 24 sectors, with six deputy superintendents of police being made in-charge to oversee security arrangements.
There are 51 places where police check posts have been ensured for thorough checking for any intoxicants, liquor and weapons, he added.
The votes will be polled between 7am and 5pm. The counting of votes will take place on January 31.
Jind District Electoral Officer, Amit Khatri said that those voters who do not have voter identity card, such voters can cast vote by showing any other 12 prescribed identity cards bearing photograph of the person.
By showing any of these 12 identity cards including driving license, MNREGA card, passport, service identity card, passport, bank passbook issued by post office, smart card, health insurance smart card, pensions related papers, Photo Voter Sleep and Aadhar card, the voter can cast his vote in the bye-election, he said.
In Jind, the high-decibel electioneering had came to an end on Saturday evening. The campaigning was dominated by barbs, charges and counter charges as arch rivals BJP, Congress, INLD and JJP are eyeing the results as a self-assessment exercise ahead of Lok Sabha polls this year.
The bypoll is considered a referendum on the Manohar Lal Khattar Government and also a semi-final ahead of Lok Sabha elections.
According to the political analysts, for the national parties–BJP and Congress—the outcome of high-stakes electoral battle would indicate the sentiments of voters from all castes and communities ahead of upcoming general polls while for the INLD and its splinter group JJP, the result would decide their dominance and future in the State politics.