71% Turnout In 3rd Phase Of Panchayat Polls In Odisha Amid Sporadic Violence

Bhubaneswar: Odisha recorded a turnout of 71 per cent in the third phase of the panchayat elections on Sunday, the State Election Commission (SEC) informed.

Polling began at 7 am and continued till 1 pm.

The voter turnout was 45 per cent till 12 pm and 15 per cent till 9 am.

“Polling was affected due to law and order situation at some places of the state. Necessary action will be taken based on the reports from collectors,” State Election Commissioner AP Padhi told the media.

Condemning the attack on journalists in Jajpur, he directed the district administration and DGP to ensure the arrest and exemplary action against the culprits.

The third phase was again marred by sporadic incidents of violence with journalists, police personnel and a BDO being beaten up.

In Rayagada, security forces seized an explosive planted at a bridge near the Niyamgiri hills on Sunday morning. It is suspected that it was planted by Maoists to disrupt the polls.

Voting for the third phase was held in 63 blocks of 29 districts for 171 Zilla Parishad (ZP) zones and 1,382 Gram Panchayats (GPs) having 18,495 Wards.

The state recorded a voter turnout of 78.3 per cent in the second phase of the panchayat polls held on February 18.

In the first phase on February 16, the state recoded 77.2 per cent turnout.

Also read: https://odishabytes.com/journos-bdo-cops-beaten-up-ballot-boxes-looted-during-3rd-phase-panchayat-polls-in-odisha/