Bhubaneswar: The second phase of the Odisha Panchayat Elections on Wednesday saw 20% voting till 9 am, according to the State Election Commission.
Reportedly, “Phase 1 has seen more than 30 percent polling till 11 a.m.,” informed the SEC along with a disclaimer that these are approximate figures as data from some polling stations takes time to be incorporated.
The voting process in the second phase of the Odisha Panchayat Elections will continue till 1 pm and will be held in more three phases on February 20, 22, and 24.
The Panchayat elections will be held at 20,436 booths of 1514 gram panchayats among which 3,065 are sensitive booths in 186 Zilla Parishad zones of 68 blocks in 30 districts.
As many as 62,10,000 people will cast their votes today. In the second phase, the highest voting is being carried out in the Ganjam district with 17 Zilla Parishad seats followed by Mayurbhanj with 12 and Cuttack with 10. Besides, the people of Bhandaripokhari, Boudh, Badamba, Dhenkanal, Jeypore, Koraput, Baripada, Nimapada, Chandbali will cast their votes today.
As many as 240 platoon police forces including 37,245 cops have been deployed at various booths in view of any unexpected violence during the second phase of panchayat polls.
At the time of polling, each voter is required to produce an Electors Photo Identity Card (EPIC) or any of the 13 other ID proofs approved by the State Election Commission.
The Covid positive voters will be allowed to cast their votes during the last hour of polling with strict adherence to coronavirus protocols.
Ms Kalinga