Jharsuguda: The counting of votes in the bypoll to the Brajarajnagar Assembly constituency in Odisha’s Jharsuguda district began at the Jharsuguda Engineering College at 8 am on Friday amid tight security.
As per latest counting figures, BJD’s Alaka Mohanty is leading with 43,032 votes. She is ahead of her nearest rival by 33,556 votes. BJP’s Radharani Panda, who represented the constituency from 2014 to 2019, has secured 9,476 votes, while Congress candidate Kishore Chandra Patel has secured 9,313 votes.
A total of 20 rounds of counting will be held. There are 14 counting tables with three staff allotted to each — a counting assistant, counting supervisor and micro observer. In all, there are 60 counting personnel. Results will be announced after each round of counting.
Candidates have been allowed to allot agents to supervise the counting process.
The counting is expected to be over by 3 pm when the final results will be declared.
The counting is taking place amid tight security comprising CRPF, State Armed Police and District Executive Force.
In all, 11 candidates contested the bypoll, which was necessitated following the death of Brajrajnagar MLA Kishore Mohanty on December 30 last year. BJD candidate Alaka Mohanty is wife of Kishore Mohanty.
