Rajya Sabha election for 3 seats today, EC conducts mock poll

BHOPAL: Polling for three seats of Rajya Sabha in Madhya Pradesh will be held on June 19. The polling will be held at the Central Hall of the assembly in view of the Covid-19 crisis. The BJP and Congress have fielded two candidates each for the Upper House where the saffron party being in majority, is sure to retain two seats in the state. Congress is likely to get one seat, said sources.
The Election Commission on Thursday finalised the preparations and conducted mock polling in the Vidhan Sabha and reviewed the security and safety of the legislators and polling staff.
"The EC has made special arrangements during polling in view of the Covid-19 crisis in the state. All possible measures to maintain social distancing during the voting and preventive gadgets have been provided to the polling staff and the members," said returning officer and principal secretary of assembly, AP Singh.
Special observer and additional chief secretary of Kerala, TR Mina, who had arrived here on Tuesday also reviewed the preparations. As per the official instructions, polling will be conducted between 9 am and 4 pm. The counting of votes will be held after 5 pm.
The BJP has fielded former union minister Jyotiraditya Scindia and professor from Khargone, Sumer Singh Solanki while the Congress has fielded former chief minister Digvijaya Singh and SC leader Phool Singh Baraiya as official candidates. Sources said that Congress MLA from Kalapipal, Kunal Chaudhary, who was tested positive will be the last to vote.
The EC has also provided postal ballot facilities to the members and voters who are infected by Coronavirus or unable to reach the polling centre. The facility could be availed only on doctor's advice through an application to be submitted to the returning officer, said an official communique.