Odisha's Bijepur saw fierce campaigns as the three major political parties - the Biju Janata Dal, Congress and the Bharatiya Janata Party - lock horns for the bypolls on February 24 with eyes on next year's Lok Sabha and Assembly polls. Security has been beefed up ahead of the Bijepur bypoll in Bargarh district and CCTVs installed in critical and sensitive booths. Arrangements have also been made by the Election Commission for use of VVPAT (voter verifiable paper audit trail) machines along with EVMs in Bijepur where nearly 2.21 lakh voters will exercise franchise.
The last day of the election campaign saw many street-corner meetings and door-to-door campaigns across the constituency by the three parties.
The death of Congress MLA Subal Sahu in August last year necessitated the Bijepur bypoll. Mr Sahu had represented the seat in the past three terms and this time. His wife Rita Sahu is the BJD candidate, the Congress has fielded Pranaya Sahu. The BJP has put up Ashok Panigrahi.
The counting of votes for Odisha's Bijpeur bypoll will be held on February 28.
(With Inputs From PTI)
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