Odisha Panchayat Election: Tight Security In Place For Phase-4 Tomorrow; 82 Arrested For Poll Violence

Bhubaneswar: With the first three phases of panchayat elections witnessing incidents like booth capturing and violence in some places, Odisha Police has  made all efforts to make the fourth phase incident-free. A total of 257 platoons along with 1,473 mobile patrolling units have been deployed for the fourth phase scheduled to be held on Tuesday (February 22).

Voting will be held at 17,089 booths in 64 blocks of 27 districts where 51,31,727 voters will exercise their franchise.

The election will be conducted with strict enforcement of State Election Commission Guidelines and Covid protocols, stated a release by police. Polling has been peaceful throughout the state in the first three phases, barring some disruptions in a very few booths and polling is over in five police districts of Jharsuguda, Boudh, Deogarh, Berhampur and Khurda, stated the release.

Arrests for poll violence:

In another development in poll-related violence during the first three phases, police arrested 43 persons in Jajpur, nine in Dhenkanal district, six in Jagatsinghpur district and 24 in Puri district.