BHUBANESWAR: Amid tight security, Kandhamal Lok Sabha constituency is all set for by-election on Wednesday, though rain triggered by cyclone Hud Hud dampened campaigning towards the last leg. The constituency is spread over Kandhamal, Nayagarh, Ganjam and Boudh districts.
Voting will be held in 1,497 polling stations spread over seven Assembly segments - Phulbani, G Udaygiri, Baliguda, Boudh, Kantamal, Bhanjanagar and Daspalla.
Central paramilitary forces like CRPF and BSF would be deployed at 530 booths identified as sensitive to ensure free and fair polling. Besides, 25 model booths have been set up in the constituency this time.
As many as 11,41,737 voters would decide the fate of seven candidates including Pratyusha Rajeswari Singh (BJD), Abhimanyu Behera (Cong) and Rudramadhab Ray (BJP). Counting of votes would be held on October 19.
Meanwhile, BJP on Tuesday alleged that Ministers and MLAs have stayed back in Kandhamal to influence the voters. BJP spokesman Samir Mohanty on Tuesday met Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) Mona Sharma and alleged that Minister of State for Panchayati Raj Arun Sahu violated the Model Code of Conduct by trying to influence voters in the presence of police at Khamar Sahi.
The by-poll was necessitated following the death of BJD MP Hemendra Chandra Singh on September 5.