Nuapada: The Nuapada Assembly by-election witnessed an impressive voter turnout of 65.20% by 3 pm on Tuesday, according to the office of Odisha Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) R S Gopalan.
“Voting across the constituency, including sensitive and Sakhi booths, is proceeding smoothly and peacefully. One Verifiable Paper Audit Trail (VVPAT) was replaced at Booth No 298, and 1 Ballot Unit (BU), 1 Control Unit (CU) and 1 VVPAT at Booth No 80,” it stated.
It further informed that presiding officers of Kuliabandh Booth No. 36 and Booth No 46 have been suspended for violation of secrecy.
Polling in the 71–Nuapada Assembly constituency picked up pace through the morning with 14.99% of the 2.53 lakh electors exercising their franchise by 9 am. The voting across two NAC areas and 63 gram panchayats spread over Nuapada and Komna blocks touched 32.51% at 11 am.
“The polling process is being continuously monitored through CCTV, and issues are being addressed promptly from both the district and state headquarters to ensure a free, fair, and transparent bye-election in Nuapada,” it added.
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The Assembly constituency, which fell vacant following the death of four-time MLA Rajendra Dholakia on September 8, is witnessing a triangular contest between Jay Dholakia (BJP), Snehangini Chhuria (BJD) and Ghasiram Majhi (Congress). Eight Independents — Ashraya Mahandan, Chakranta Jena, Bhuvan Lal Sahu, Kishore Kumar Bag, Nita Bag, Lakshmikant Tandi, Bhaktabandhu Dharua, and Lochan Majhi — are also in the fray.
Voting will continue till 4 pm in sensitive booths and till 5 PM in other areas. Counting of votes is scheduled for November 14.
