From correspondents in Punjab, India, 10:34 AM IST

Polling for the Valtoha assembly constituency in Punjab commenced Saturday morning with people queuing up early to cast their votes.

The election for this assembly seat could not be held with the 115 other assembly seats in Punjab Feb 13 following the death of a candidate earlier this month.

Communist Party of India candidate Kulwinder Singh had died in a road accident after filing his nomination papers and the Election Commission had postponed the polls to Feb 24. The seat falls in the border district of Tarn Taran.

Over 118,700 voters will decide the fate of five candidates in the fray. The main contest, however, is between the ruling Congress and the Shiromani Akali Dal.

The Congress has re-nominated sitting legislator Gurchet Singh Bhullar while the Akalis have fielded Virsa Singh Valtoha.

Counting for this seat will take place with the other 115 assembly seats Feb 27.

Meanwhile, voting for the Beas assembly seat in Amritsar district will be held March 11.

(Staff Writer, © IANS)