Bhopal, Apr 11: Elaborate security arrangements have been put in place in view of the Lok Sabha by-election in Betul constituency in Madhya Pradesh tomorrow.

''All required arrangements have been made to ensure free and fair polling. Eight battalions of Special Armed Force (SAF) and CRPF personnel each besides more than 3,000 jawans have been deployed,'' Election Commission sources said.

A direct contest is being witnessed between the ruling BJP and opposition Congress in the Betul Parliamentary bypoll, where polling would begin tomorrow morning.

The bypoll on this tribal-dominated seat was necessitated following the demise of BJP leader Vijay Khandelwal.

A total of 10,96,418 voters, including 5,20,162 women, would decide the fate of 14 candidates, including Hemanth Khandelwal (BJP), Sukhdeo Panse (Congress) and Dr Sunilam (SP).

Counting would take place on April 16 and the results would be declared on the same day.

A total 1,219 polling centre had been established of which 331 have been identified as sensitive.