Polling begins at Pandhana amid tight security

Bhopal, Dec 4 (UNI) Polling for by-election to the Pandhana assembly constituency in Madhya Pradesh's Khandwa district began this morning on a peaceful note .

In mildy cold weather, voters lined upat booths as polling began at 0730 hrs.

Comprehensive security arrangements were put in place to ensure free and fair by-poll. Eleven checkposts were formed and police and paramilitary force deployed.

More than 1.56 lakh voters will exercise their franchise to choose from five candidates -- Mr Hiralal Silawat (Congress), Mr Devandra Verma (BJP), Mr Vasudev Atut (Bharatiya Jan Shakti), Mr Navneet Gajbhajiye (GGP) and an independent candidate Umashankar -- at 191 polling centres. As many as 75 balloting centres were termed sensitive.

The by-election was necessitated due to the death of BJP legislator Kishorilal Verma. The BJP had fielded his son from the seat.

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