Transgender Candidate Joins 80 Nominees for MP Lok Sabha Elections Phase 2

In a significant electoral event, Madhya Pradesh is set to witness the second phase of Lok Sabha elections this Friday, where 80 candidates, including a notable transgender candidate, will compete across six constituencies. The elections are primarily seen as a direct contest between the incumbent Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and the opposition Congress. Official sources confirmed that comprehensive measures, including robust security arrangements, have been implemented to ensure a smooth and fair polling process.

The constituencies going to polls include Tikamgarh, which is reserved for Scheduled Castes, Damoh, Khajuraho, Satna, Rewa, and Hoshangabad. The electoral battle will commence at 7 am and conclude at 6 pm. Among the contestants are 75 men, four women, and a transgender individual. To accommodate the electorate, 12,828 polling booths have been established, with 1,136 managed exclusively by women. The total number of eligible voters stands at 1,1162,460, comprising 58,32,333 men, 53,29,972 women, and 155 transgenders.

Union Minister Virendra Kumar from the BJP is aiming for his fourth consecutive term from Tikamgarh against Congress's Pankaj Ahirwar. Meanwhile, State BJP President V D Sharma is eyeing a second term from Khajuraho. The opposition INDIA bloc has thrown its support behind R B Prajapati of the All India Forward Bloc in Khajuraho after the rejection of Samajwadi Party candidate Meera Yadav's nomination.

Satna has emerged as a hotspot with the highest number of candidates (19) in the fray. In contrast, Tikamgarh has the least number of contenders (seven). Transgender candidate Durga Mausi is contesting for the Damoh seat among 14 other candidates. Durga Mausi expressed confidence in winning the support of Damoh's electorate, highlighting her previous roles including her tenure as sarpanch and her current position in a Janpad panchayat in Katni district.

The state has identified 2,865 sensitive polling booths across these constituencies. CEO Anupam Rajan assured that essential facilities like water and medicines will be available at all polling stations. To maintain vigilance, 223 flying squad teams and 240 static surveillance teams have been deployed. Following the enforcement of the model code of conduct on March 16, items worth Rs 247.57 crore have been seized in Madhya Pradesh.

Efforts to ensure a peaceful election include depositing almost all licenced arms with the police and externing 2,814 individuals with criminal backgrounds from the districts undergoing polls. Additionally, stringent measures under the National Security Act have been invoked against several individuals.

Madhya Pradesh recorded a voter turnout of 61.57% in the 2014 general elections which saw an increase to 71.16% in 2019. The state boasts 29 Lok Sabha seats. Following this phase, the third and fourth phases are scheduled for May 7 and May 13 respectively. In the last general elections held in 2019, BJP secured a dominant victory by winning 28 out of the state's 29 Lok Sabha seats.