Bihar only blot on peaceful bypolls

In the Dumka Lok Sabha bypoll in Jharkhand, where JMM leader Sibu Soren is locked in a triangular contest, 50 to 55 per cent polling was recorded. Akbarpur was vacated by Chief Minister Mayawati while Dumka and Amalapuram fell vacant following the resignation of Babulal Marandi and the death of Balayogi respectively.

Low to moderate turnout was witnessed in three Assembly segments each in Uttar Pradesh and Tamil Nadu. In Amalapuram, which saw 42 per cent polling, the main Opposition Congress did not put up any candidate against TDP nominee G. Vijayakumari, widow of Balayogi whose death in a helicopter crash necessitated the bypoll.

However, BSP candidate J.B. Raju and an independent P. Vijaya Chakravarthi remained in fray forcing an election. ‘‘The turnout was sluggish and about 42 per cent of voters exercised their franchise,’’ Election Office sources said quoting initial reports.

The byelection to Devarakonda Assembly constituency was a smooth affair with the TDP and the CPI refraining from contest and Deervath Bharathi of the Congress winning it an unopposed. The seat fell vacant following the killing of Bharathi’s husband Ragya Naik (Cong) recently.

Amidst charges of electoral malpractices allegedly by the ruling AIADMK, polling in Saidapet, Acharapakkam and Vaniyambadi Assembly constituencies in Tamil Nadu passed off peacefully with about 55 per cent of six lakh voters exercising their franchise.

Forty to 45 per cent of electorate cast ballots for Jehangirganj and Dibai Assembly seats in Uttar Pradesh. The other Vidhan Sabha bypoll in Baheri saw over 50 per cent turnout. By-election to the Baheri Assembly seat was necessitated following the murder of SP MLA Mansoor Ahmed.

There was no report of any incident or rigging in the by-elections, state principal secretary (Home) Anil Kumar said. In Kunda where, re-balloting was ordered, there was a 45 per cent turnout. Special security arrangements were made in the Kunda following large-scale rigging during the February Assembly polls.

The state government has deployed 34 companies of security forces, including central forces, for smooth conduct of by-elections.

Around 70 per cent polling was reported at the by-election to the Onda Assembly constituency in West Bengal’s Bankura district which witnessed peaceful polling amid tight security.