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Jaipur, Nov 11 (IANS) Voting began at 7 am amid tight security arrangements for the Anta assembly by-election in Rajasthan, where a total of 2,27,563 voters will cast their votes at 268 polling stations across the constituency. Of the registered voters, 1,15,982 are men and 1,10,241 are women. Policemen have been deployed at all polling stations to ensure smooth conduct of the by-election. The Central Police Force has taken command of the most sensitive areas. Facilities like wheelchairs and assistive devices as well as cots for infants have been provided at the polling stations. Additionally, five green polling stations have been set up to promote environmental awareness. Extensive security measures have been implemented for the Anta by-election. A total of 3,077 police officers, 12 quick response teams (QRTs), 43 mobile parties, 43 sector magistrates, 12 supervisory officers, 12 area magistrates, four senior police supervisors, four senior administrative officers, six additional superintendents of police and 14 DSPs have been deployed to ensure law and order. As voters started arriving at polling stations as polling began at 7 am, long queues were seen at many booths, with first-time voters and young voters participating enthusiastically. Some youth groups were heard raising slogans in support of their favorite candidates. So far, voting has been peaceful at all polling stations. BJP candidate Morpal Suman Tisaya exercised his franchise at the Government Higher Secondary School polling station in Anta. It is noteworthy that since the 2023 assembly elections, there have been nine by-elections in Rajasthan – and the trend has largely been in favor of the BJP. Of these, Congress has lost eight seats and won only one, while BJP has won seven seats. As the battle for Anta intensifies, the results will not only decide the election of an MLA but may also redefine the political equations across Rajasthan as both Congress and BJP are looking at these elections as a battle of prestige. –IANS arch/dpb