In a crucial electoral event, the Dhanpur and Boxanagar assembly constituencies in Sepahijala district are gearing up for bye-polls with heightened security measures in place. This electoral showdown is slated to take place on Tuesday and is shaping up to be a direct contest between the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and the Communist Party of India (Marxist) or CPM.
Voting Schedule:
The polling is scheduled to commence at 7 am and will continue until 4 pm, allowing residents of these constituencies ample time to exercise their democratic rights.
Security Arrangements:
A significant focus of this bye-poll is security. Polling agents, in conjunction with security personnel, were dispatched from the dispersal center at Sonamura Girls’ Class XII School a day ahead of the election. The polling personnel have already reached their respective stations, equipped with Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs), Voter-Verified Paper Audit Trails (VVPATs), and other essential equipment. All polling stations within these constituencies have been fortified with robust security measures, including the deployment of central forces, to deter any untoward incidents on polling day.
Vulnerable Polling Stations:
Out of the 51 polling stations in Boxanagar, two are classified as critical, and 15 are considered vulnerable. Similarly, in Dhanpur, 19 out of the 59 polling stations fall under the vulnerable category. Additionally, each of the two constituencies will feature two model polling stations, two exclusively staffed by women, and one managed for persons with disabilities (PWD).
Voter Enrollment:
A total of 93,495 voters are eligible to cast their ballots in these two assembly seats. Of these, 43,149 voters are registered in the 20-Boxanagar constituency, while 50,346 voters are in the 23-Dhanpur constituency.
Democratic Appeal:
Various voices from across the political spectrum have called upon voters to exercise their democratic rights without fear or hesitation. These appeals underscore the significance of active participation in the electoral process.
Contestants:
In the Dhanpur constituency, the BJP’s Bindu Debnath will go head-to-head with the CPM’s Kaushik Chanda. Meanwhile, in Boxanagar, Tafajjal Hussain of the BJP and Mizan Hussain of the CPM are set to engage in the electoral battle. Notably, the Congress party is extending its support to the CPM in these bye-elections. Tipra Motha, the main opposition party, has neither fielded any candidates nor offered support to any of the contesting political parties.
As the voters in Dhanpur and Boxanagar constituencies prepare to cast their ballots, all eyes are on the outcome of this closely-watched bye-poll, which could potentially have significant implications for the political landscape in Sepahijala district and beyond.
