Bhubaneswar/Koraput: With people of disputed Kotia in Koraput participating enthusiastically in the simultaneous Lok Sabha and Assembly elections in Odisha, an impressive 53.34 per cent turnout was recorded in the gram panchayat by 1 pm on Monday.
Stating that Kotia has set an example, Odisha’s Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) Nikunna Bihari Dhan said people Kotia are participating in the first phase polling enthusiastically and more than 53 per cent voters have already voted 1 pm in nine polling stations.
The highest voter turnout has been registered in the polling station at Talakanti (86 %) followed by the polling station at Gumel Padar (73.68%), the CEO said.
Falling under the Patangi block of Koraput district, Kotia has around 5510 voters, including 2913 women.
Kotia area has been the centre of controversy for a long time due to territorial disputes between Odisha and Andhra Pradesh. Residents of the area often faced a dilemma regarding which state to vote in.
The Kotia cluster comprises 21 villages nestled amidst remote hills in Koraput district on the border with Andhra Pradesh.
The Andhra Pradesh government’s actions have added to the confusion, as they have attempted to sway Kotia voters with various incentives, potentially influencing their voting decisions.
Once under the control of Jeypore zamindary, Kotia was integrated into Odisha when the state was established. However, a dispute arose in 1971 when Andhra Pradesh laid claim to Kotia, leading to ongoing tensions.
