All arrangements in place for bypoll amidst tight security

Madurai, Oct 10 (UNI) Overshadowed by violence that left an unsavoury mark on the campaign, the stage is set for the bypoll to Madurai Central Assembly constituency tomorrow where 19 candidates are in the fray.

The DMK's S S Ghouse Basha will be taking on V V Rajan Chellappa of the AIADMK. The Desiya Murpokku Dravida Kazhagam (DMDK) of filmstar Vijaykant has fielded M R Pannerselvam. The other 16 contenders are either Independents or those representing minor political parties.

The constituency, with a total of 1.32 lakh voters, with women accounting for 65,898, will be the first in the state to have an election with Photo Electoral Rolls, on a pilot basis.

Elaborate security arrangements have been made for the conduct of free and fair polling in all the 154 polling stations, declared as sensitive.

The bypoll was caused by the death of DMK MLA, Palanivel Rajan, who had won the seat in the assembly elections this year.

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