Dhamnagar byelection: Tight security for poll counting today; clashes on eve of result

BHUBANESWAR: A three-tier security arrangement has been put in place for the counting of votes for the Dhamnagar byelection at Sanskruti Bhawan near Bhadrak collector's office on Sunday amid stray incidents of post-poll violence reported from some places on Saturday.
Chief electoral officer S K Lohani said a team of Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) will be in the inner cordon while Odisha State Armed Police force will be in the middle. A team of Odisha police will form the outer ring to check and allow only authorised persons such as officials involved in the counting process, counting agents of candidates besides authorised media personnel.
Poll authorities said there will be 18 rounds of counting on 14 tables for the 252 booths. There will be a separate table for counting of postal ballots, which will be done first at 8 am. Every counting table will have a counting supervisor and an assistant. Counting agents nominated by the candidates will also be present to observe the counting. The candidate or his election agent can also be present inside the counting hall.
Apart from announcement of result at the venue, the same will also be available to the general public through the website results.eci.gov.in.
At least three separate incidents of attacks and counter attacks by rival political groups were reported from different places in the assembly seat. A 55-year-old man and his 21-year-old daughter of Talagopabindha village, were admitted to Bhadrak district headquarters hospital after being allegedly attacked by political rivals. BJP contestant Suraj Suryavanshi, who visited them in the hospital, said the family was attacked by BJD workers for voting for him. A BJD spokesperson denied the allegation.
Bhadrak SP Charan Singh Meena said police have received two complaints of accusations and counteraccusations from separate groups in connection with the Talagopabindha village incident. "There are some more complaints of minor violence. Police have continued the probe. These are stray incidents. The overall law and order situation remains firmly under control," the SP said.