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 fo
r 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.