Re-polling underway in Guj amidst heavy security

Re-polling is underway in Junagadh from where union minister Bhavnaben Chikalia is contesting as a BJP candidate.

Re-polling began on Thursday morning amidst heavy security in the two polling booths of Junagadh and Kheda parliamentary constituencies that were marred by incidents of booth-capturing and violence in the first phase of election on Tuesday, official sources said in Ahmedabad.

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Re-polling began at the Sangodara village of Junagadh parliamentary constituency from where Union Minister of State for Tourism Bhavnaben Chikalia is contesting as a BJP candidate.

Close to 993 electorates, 522 male and 471 female, would exercise their franchise.

Simultaneous re-polling began at a booth in Talala village of Kheda constituency from where BJP candidate Shubhangini Gaekwad is contesting against Dinsha Patel of Congress.

Security presence has been heightened at both the polling booths and officials would videotape the entire process to ensure that no untoward incident occurs this time and polling passes off peacefully.

There are 852 electors of which 436 are males and 416 are females.

Re-polling was ordered after complaints of bogus voting and presiding officer being allegedly beaten up.