Kolar voters will decide netas' fate today

The byelection for Vemagal Zilla Panchayat constituency is to be conducted on Tuesday. The voting will be held from 7 am to 5 pm.

The entire constituency has up to 27,843 voters, with 14,278 men and 13,565 women, and 42 voting booths have been set up.

A total of 168 election staff have been appointed, at four members a booth. The staff have been provided five buses to travel till the booths.

Safety measures

Police security has also been tightened in Vemagal. Two inspectors and 82 other police staff will hold guard for the zilla panchayat bypoll.

Vemagal constituency is reserved for a woman from Backward Class A. Five candidates- Kalyani (Congress) of Vishwanagara, L Asha (JDS) of Channasandra, Sarojamma (BJP) of Rajakallalli, Bhagyamma (Varthur faction) of Kurubarahalli and M Rajeshwari (D R Shivakumar Gowda faction) of Bettahosapura- are contesting the bypoll.

Power support

Union Minister K H Muniyappa of the Congress, former minister K Srinivasa Gowda of the JD(S), State minister Varthur Prakash, who helped the BJP win the panchayat elections and members of the BJP themselves and finally D R Shivakumarn Gowda, who was affronted by Congress leaders, are all armed for the fight, supporting the candidates from their respective parties or factions.

The counting will be held on January 13 at the taluk centres.