Surat

The by-election for Choryasi Assembly constituency in Surat district witnessed a low turn-out of 38.04 per cent today.

Some 1.48 lakh voters out of the total of 3.91 lakh stepped out of their houses to vote. The polling was peaceful, district authorities said.

The collector’s office said 87,416 male voters and 61,575 female voters cast votes between 8.00 AM to 5 PM.

Counting of votes will be held on January 24.

The by-election was necessitated after sitting BJP MLA Rajendra Patel (60), popularly known as Raja Patel, died of dengue infection at a Mumbai hospital last August.

There are 26 candidates in the fray including 24 independents.

BJP has fielded Patel’s daughter Zankhana Patel (35), while Dhansukh Rajput (57) is Congress’s candidate.

PTI