Polling passed off peacefully, barring a few hiccups in the initial hours, in six Lok Sabha and 41 Assembly constituencies in the fourth and the last phase of the simultaneous elections in Odisha on Monday.
An average of 66% of voting was recorded in the Parliamentary seats of Mayurbhanj, Balasore, Bhadrak, Jajpur, Kendrapara and Jagatsinghpur till 5 p.m., according to Odisha Chief Electoral Officer Surendra Kumar.
While Mayurbhanj recorded a voter turnout of 67% till 5 p.m., Balasore and Jagatsinghpur recorded 64% each, Bhadrak 68%, and Jajpur and Kendrapara 65% each. The percentage may increase since voting was still in progress.
3 officials suspended
Three polling officials were suspended for dereliction of duty, Mr. Kumar told journalists. Adequate transport and security arrangements had been put in place to ensure safe return of polling parties to their respective headquarters, he added.
Allegations of capturing of several booths by a particular party were also reported from Bari Assembly segment under Jajpur, while people boycotted voting at a few booths under Jajpur, Mayurbhanj, Jagatsinghpur and Kendrapara Lok Sabha constituencies.
EVMs’ safety
Apart from ensuring security of electronic voting machines, steps were also taken for the safety of the voting machines in view of the impending Cyclone Fani, said Mr. Kumar.
The CEO thanked the people of Odisha for the conduct of polling in four phases in the State without any major incident of violence.
However, polling remains to be held in Patkura, one of the seven Assembly segments under Kendrapara, on May 19. Polling was adjourned following death of the BJD candidate.