The stage is set for tomorrow's polling in the by-election to Loahardaga (ST) Assembly constituency in Jharkhand.
Nine candidates, including NDA-ally AJSU Party's Neeru Shanti Bhagat, Jharkhand Pradesh Congress Committee President-cum-party candidate Sukhdeo Bhagat and an ex-MLA, will contest the elections.
Former Jharkhand Minister Bandhu Tirkey is also contesting on Jharkhand Vikas Morcha (Prajatantrik) ticket.
The Lohardaga Assembly seat fell vacant after sitting AJSU Party's MLA Kamal Kishore Bhagat was sentenced jail term by the Court in connection with the 1993 attack on a doctor in Ranchi and was disqualified from the state Assembly following the verdict.
Neeru Bhagat is the wife of Bhagat.
The Deputy Commissioner-cum-Returning Officer Manjunath Bhajanti and Superintendent of Police Karthik S told reporters that the polling will take place from 7 AM to 3 PM.
Altogether 2,19,595 voters were eligible to exercise their franchise in 272 polling booths, he said.
Adequate security arrangements have also been made to ensure free and fair poll, Manjunath said.
