Pandhana records 55 percent polling

Bhopal, Dec 5 (UNI) An estimated 54.68 percent of the 1.56 lakh electorate exercised their franchise yesterday in the Assembly byelection in Pandhana constituency in Khandwa district of western Madhya Pradesh.

The polling was by and large peaceful, official sources said.

Five candidates, including Devendra Varma(BJP), Hiralal Silawat(Cong), Vasudeo Atoot (Bhartiya Jan Shakti), Navneet Gajbhiye (Gondwana Gantantra Party) and Umashankar Varma(Ind), were in the fray to fill up the vacancy caused by the murder of BJP MLA Kishorilal Varma.

Two zonal officers N U Qureshi and A K Sudhe- both Assistant Engineers of the Irrigation department- were suspended as they failed to furnish information about polling percentage every two hours. The presiding officer of Paanjaria polling booth was removed following complaints that voters were allowed to exercise their franchise without verifying their identity.

Counting of votes will take place at Khandwa on December 7.

UNI SP 1131