Campaigning ends for Bijepur by-poll

The high-voltage campaigning for the February 24 by-poll for the Bijepur Assembly seat ended on Thursday with all political parties making last-minute efforts to woo the voters.

Leaders and workers of the ruling BJD, the BJP and the Congress instead of holding public meetings and road shows held door-to-door campaigning on the last day of canvassing. As per the Election Commission guidelines, all political leaders, functionaries and party workers who are not registered voters in the constituency left Bijepur ahead of the polling.

The polling parties have already started to reach the different polling booths in the constituency and police have started intensive checking and frisking of vehicles to prevent flow of money and liquor and also to stop movement of unwanted elements.

“We are taking all steps to hold peaceful and free by-election. We will make sure all critical booths are equipped with webcast facility.  Micro observers will be deployed and we are trying to source additional Executive Magistrates from nearby districts for poll duty,” said State Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) Surendra Kumar.

Bargarh district Collector Yamini Sarangi said as many as 155 polling booths out of 281 have been identified as sensitive voting booths and 20 booths among those will be covered with CCTV surveillance for the by-poll. Adequate security arrangements were made for the free and fair election, she added.