MP and Odisha bypolls 2018: Over 70 per cent voting in 2 constituencies in Madhya Pradesh

The Congress has fielded Mahendra Singh Yadav from Kolaras and Brijendra Singh Yadav from Mungaoli, while the BJP has fielded Baisahab Yadav from Mungaoli and Devendra Jain from Kolaras.

By Chennabasaveshwar

| Updated: Saturday, February 24, 2018, 20:25 [IST]

Voting for bypolls took place in two key assembly constituencies in Madhya Pradesh and Odisha's Bijepur assembly seat. 77.05 per cent and 70.40 percent voting turnout was recorded in Mungaoli and Kolaras respectively. In Odisha's Bijepur bypoll, 72 per cent polling was recorded till 5pm.

The by-elections in Madhya Pradesh are seen as providing an opportunity to gauge the mood of the state that will go for assembly elections this year. Both seats are currently held by the Congress.

MP and Odisha bypolls 2018 (LIVE): 35 per cent voting recorded in Bijepur

The Congress has fielded Mahendra Singh Yadav from Kolaras and Brijendra Singh Yadav from Mungaoli, while the BJP has fielded Baisahab Yadav from Mungaoli and Devendra Jain from Kolaras.

Both the BJP and Congress are confident of the victory on the two seats, that fall under Guna Lok Sabha constituency, the pocket-borough of Congress stalwart Jyotiraditya Scindia.

The bypolls were necessitated due to the death of sitting Congress MLAs Mahendra Singh Kalukheda (Mungaoli) and Ram Singh Yadav (Kolaras).

For Scindia, retaining both the seats in his home turf is a battle of prestige as he is positioning himself as the chief ministerial candidate of the Congress. Aware of the high stakes involved, the Gwalior royal has been constantly touring these two seats in a bid to ward off the saffron challenge.

In Odisha, district of Bargarh has seen more union ministers, parliamentarians, MLAs, film stars, politicians than any poll in Odisha might have ever witnessed.

Odisha's two union ministers, Dharmendra Pradhan and Jual Oram, have led BJP's campaign in the district. Smriti Irani addressed three rallies. Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik spent a night in the constituency during his hectic two-day schedule of rallies. This is the last bypoll in the state before the 2019 general elections.

The by-poll is necessitated due to death of Congress MLA Subal Sahu. BJD candidate Rita Sahu, Pranay Sahu of Congress and BJP's Ashok Panigrahi are in the fray. For the first time, Voter Verifiable Paper Audit Trail (VVPAT) machines will be used in the Bijepur by-poll.

Counting for all the three assembly constituencies will be held on February 28.

Stay tuned for Live Updates:

Newest First Oldest First

8:24 PM, 24 Feb

In Odisha's Bijepur bypoll, 72 per cent polling was recorded till 5pm.

8:17 PM, 24 Feb

77.05 per cent voting turnout recorded in Mungaoli by-polls

8:17 PM, 24 Feb

70.40% voting turnout recorded in Kolaras by-polls, reports, ANI

5:46 PM, 24 Feb

Bijepur bypoll: 55% polling recorded till 3pm

2:23 PM, 24 Feb

Voters turnout 44.84 per cent in Kolaras and 47.01 per cent in Mungaoli till 1 pm.

1:22 PM, 24 Feb

Around 35 per cent voting recorded in the Bijepur by-election in Odisha till noon.

12:43 PM, 24 Feb

The total number of voters in the two constituencies are 2,44,457 in Kolaras and 1,91,009 in Mungaoli.

12:29 PM, 24 Feb

35 candidates are in the fray in bypolls being held in Kolaras and Mungaoli assembly constituencies.

11:26 AM, 24 Feb

Election Commission of India bans publishing or broadcasting of exit poll from 8 am to 5: 30 pm today

11:14 AM, 24 Feb

Mungaoli and Kolaras fall within the Guna Lok Sabha constituency, represented by Congress MP Jyotiraditya Scindia

11:12 AM, 24 Feb

Congress leader Jyotiraditya Scindia tweeted, "The power of your vote is the foundation of Indian democracy. I humbly request for the people of Kolaras and Mungawale to vote for their better and bright future. Jai Hind."

10:40 AM, 24 Feb

Madhya Pradesh by-poll: 16% voter turnout recorded in Kolaras and 17% voterout recorded in Mungaoli till 10 am.

10:22 AM, 24 Feb

During mock poll, 15 VVPATs in Kolaras and 17 VVPATs in Mungaoli were found to be malfunctioning which were replaced later. Voting is currently continuing smoothly at all polling stations: Saleena Singh, CEO on Kolaras & Mungaoli by-election Madhya Pradesh

10:10 AM, 24 Feb

Voting underway in 281 booths in Bijepur assembly

9:42 AM, 24 Feb

For the first time, Voter Verifiable Paper Audit Trail (VVPAT) machines will be used in the Bijepur by-poll.

9:41 AM, 24 Feb

A total of five companies (500 personnel) of CRPF along with one company (85 personnel) of Odisha Swift Action Force have been deployed on poll duty, Bargarh district ASP Jaswant Senapati told PTI.

9:38 AM, 24 Feb

"Altogether 281 polling booths have been set up, while 270 booths were there during the Assembly polls in 2014," Bargarh district Collector Yamini Sarangi told PTI

9:37 AM, 24 Feb

Elaborate security arrangements have been made for bypoll in Bijepur Assembly constituency after pre-poll violence in and around Bijepur area

8:59 AM, 24 Feb

I have been standing in queue for the past one hour, voting has not started since the EVM is not working, says a voter in Kolaras, Madhya Pradesh

I have been standing in queue for the past one hour, voting has not started since the EVM is not working: Local, Kolaras #MadhyaPradesh pic.twitter.com/O0mCat7cSz
— ANI (@ANI) February 24, 2018

8:29 AM, 24 Feb

MadhyaPradesh: EVM at Kolaras' booth number 57 is currently not working, people wait outside to cast their votes.

8:26 AM, 24 Feb

MadhyaPradesh by-polls: Voting begins in Mungaoli & Kolaras, visuals from a polling booth in Kolaras.

#MadhyaPradesh by-polls: Voting begins in Mungaoli & Kolaras, visuals from a polling booth in Kolaras. pic.twitter.com/FpfJJoYJtn
— ANI (@ANI) February 24, 2018