Odisha Records 73.50% Voter Turnout In May 20 Elections; Re-Polling In 2 Booths Of Kantamal On May 23

Bhubaneswar: Odisha saw 73.50 per cent voter turnout in the second-round simultaneous elections in Odisha on May 20 with Bargarh Lok Sabha constituency recording the highest 79.78 per cent polling.

Balangir was close second at 77.52 per cent followed by Kandhamal and Sundargarh LS seats at 73.66 per cent and 73.02 per cent, respectively. Aska recorded the lowest polling of 62.67 per cent.

Among the Assembly constituencies, Bhatli in Bargarh LS constituency recorded the highest polling of 84.11 per cent followed by Kantamal (83.99), Sonepur (83.21), Jharsuguda (82.75), Birmaharajpur (81.92), Boudh (81.44), Bonai (81.14) and Bijepur (80.68). Aska recorded the lowest polling of 59.05 per cent among the Assembly segments.

The state had registered around 74 per cent polling in the first-round Lok Sabha and assembly elections on May 13.

Meanwhile, the Election Commission of India (ECI) has ordered re-polling in two booths of Kantamal Assembly segment under Kandhamal Lok Sabha constituency as irregularities in polling were witnessed after outsiders entered the two booths. The presiding officer of booth 26 was also taken into custody for the lapse.

Also Read: Odisha Elections 2024: ECI Orders Repolling In 2 Booths Of Kantamal Assembly Seat

The ECI has also appointed senior administrative officer Dileep Kumar Mohapatra as the additional district magistrate of Boudh and returning officer of Kantamal Assembly segment for the polls in booths 26 and 28 on May 23 from 7 am to 4 pm.

The re-polling was ordered after a delegation of BJP leaders led by former state president Samir Mohanty had submitted a memorandum to CEO Nikunj Bihari Dhal, alleging that both these booths were captured by BJD workers and their hired goons.