Date:07/11/2009 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2009/11/07/stories/2009110757700100.htm

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All set for crucial by-elections today

J. Balaji

31 Assembly constituencies and Firozabad Lok Sabha seat going to polls

NEW DELHI: All possible arrangements are in place for smooth polling in the Firozabad constituency of the Lok Sabha and 31 Assembly segments in different states where by-elections are due this Saturday.

Talking to The Hindu, Chief Election Commissioner Navin Chawla said the Commission would be keenly watching developments during the day and would do everything to ensure that the voters exercise their franchise in a free and fair manner in a peaceful environment. This poll is considered to be a mega-election after the Lok Sabha elections in April/May this year as it is being held in different States. The counting of votes will take place on Nov. 10.

The Firozabad poll is keenly watched as it has been caused by the resignation of Samajwadi Party president Mulayam Singh Yadav’s son Akhilesh Yadav who he had won from both Firozabad and Kannauj in the 15th Lok Sabha elections. He chose to retain the Kannauj seat and resigned from Firozabad.

While Akhilesh Yadav’s wife Dimple is the Samajwadi Party’s candidate, the Congress has fielded actor-politician Raj Babbar who had lost the Fatehpur Sikri seat to BSP by a narrow margin in the Lok Sabha elections. A total of 177 candidates are in the race here.

The Assembly by-elections will take place in the following states: Assam – Salmara South and Dhekiajuli; Himachal Pradesh – Rohru and Jawali; Kerala – Kannur, Alappuzha and Ernakulam; Rajasthan – Salumber (ST) and Todabhim (ST); U.P. – Powayan (SC), Lucknow West, Padrouna, Rari, Isauli, Jhansi, Kolasala, Hainsar Bazar, Lalitpur, Etawah and Bharthana; Chhattisgarh –Vaishali Nagar; and West Bengal – Kalchini (ST), Rajganj (SC), Sujapur, Goalpokhar, Bongaon, Contai South, Egra, Serampore, Alipore and Belgachia East.