Counting for Simaria bypolls tomorrow

Chatra, Feb 6 (UNI) Elaborate arrangements have been made as counting for byelection to Simaria Assembly seat begins at 0600 hrs tomorrow to determine the fate of 14 candidates in the fray.

Superintendent of Police Akhilesh Kumar Jha today said counting would be held at Chatra college premises adding security was kept on alert to thwart any disruptive activities.

About 46 per cent polling of an estimated 2.4 lakh electorate was recorded in the byelection to the Naxal-dominated seat on February four.

The bypoll was necessitated following the death of BJP's Upendra Nath Das. His son, given the party ticket to retain the seat, faces a stiff challenge from three other candidates - CPI, backed by the JMM and RJD, Congress and Jharkhand Vikas Morcha (Democratic).

Among prominent candiates were Kumar Ujjwal (BJP), Ramchandra Ram (CPI), Yogendra Baitha (Cong) and Jaiprakash Bhokta (JVM).

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