By Bizodisha Bureau, Bhubaneswar, February 27, 2018: All eyes are on the outcome of Bijepur assembly by-poll on Wednesday after nearly three weeks of high drama and campaign by the ruling Biju Janata Dal (BJD), Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and Congress.

The by-poll will decide the fate of as many as 13 candidates who are in fray for the assembly seat, the election to which was necessitated following the death of Congress MLA Subal Sahu. However, the high voltage battle of ballots is expeed to be a triangular fight between BJD, BJP and Congress.

With all eyes on the fate of the three main parties, the ruling BJD, BJP and the Congress, the administration has put preparations in place. As per schedule counting of votes will begin from 8 am and the trend will be out by noon.

While bypoll has turned out to be a matter of prestige for BJD which has been trying to claim the seat since last three terms, only to be defeated by Congress strongman Subal Sahu, this time it has roped in his wife Rita Sahu to grab the opportunity.

On the contrary, buoyed over success the last year’s Panchayat elections, the BJP which is trying to make inroads into BJD bastion is waiting to make a mark ahead of the 2019 general elections.

Similarly, the Congress is also aiming to win the seat again with its candidate Pranay Sahu exuding confidence with his promises for the people.

More than 72 per cent of voters turned out to exercise their votes during the by poll conducted on Saturday.

The voting process largely remained peaceful as heavy deployment of security personnel were made across the constituency.