Odisha Elections 2024: 39.30% Voter Turnout By 1 PM; 2 Injured As Rival Groups Clash In Ganjam

Bhubaneswar: At least two persons were injured in a clash between rival groups during polling in Chikiti area of Ganjam, even as Odisha recorded 39.30 per cent voter turnout by 1 pm in the first phase of elections on Monday.

Official sources said that supporters of BJP and BJD clashed when polling was underway in Chikiti Assembly segment. The violence took place after BJD supporters allegedly stopped a BJP agent from entering a polling booth.

Two persons sustained injuries during the violent incident in which sticks were used, sources said.

In another incident in the same area, tension prevailed at a polling booth in K Nuagaon after some agents were accused of trying to influence voters in support of a particular political party.

Meanwhile, officials of the Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) said that the state recorded a voter turnout of 39.30% by 1 pm in the first phase of elections in four Lok Sabha and 28 Assembly constituencies.

The highest voter turnout was recorded in Kalahandi Lok Sabha seat at 42.67% followed by Nabarangpur (42.65%), Koraput (36.64%), and Berhampur (34.97%).

Amnong Assembly constituencies, Berhampur recorded the lowest turnout of 26.14%, while Chhatrapur witnessed 29.61% polling by 1 pm.

Officials said Kotia in Koraput which often appears in news over intrusion by Andhra Pradesh, set an example in voter turnout. Around 53.34% polling was recorded in Kotia Gram Panchayat by 1 pm, they said.

The polling remained by and large peaceful barring the clash reported from Chikiti in Ganjam district.

CEO Nikunja Bihari Dhal said that EVM glitches were found in several places and the machines were replaced within 30 minutes. As many as 65 Ballot Units (BU), 83 Control Units (CU), and 110 VVPATs have been replaced so far.