Bhubaneswar: Polling for by-election to Nuapada Assembly constituency in Odisha, which began at 7 am on Tuesday amid tight security arrangements, saw an approximate voter turnout of 14.99% by 9 am.
Over 2.53 lakh voters, including 1,24,108 males, 1,29,495 females and 21 transgenders, are expected to exercise their franchise across two NAC areas and 63 gram panchayats spread over Nuapada and Komna blocks, to decide the fate of 14 candidates, including BJD’s Snehangini Chhuria, BJP’s Jay Dholakia, Congress’ Ghasiram Majhi, and Ramakanta Hati of the Samajwadi Party.
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.
The bypoll was necessitated due to the death of four-time MLA Rajendra Dholakia on September 8.
According to official data, 358 polling booths, including six Sakhi booths managed entirely by women, have been set up across the Assembly constituency. At least 1,584 polling personnel including 1,552 males and 32 females have been deployed to oversee the voting process. The administration has also constituted 38 reserve polling and sector teams to address any technical or logistical glitches promptly.
Polling teams were airlifted to Left Wing Extremist-affected zones near Sunabeda Wildlife Sanctuary, which has eight sensitive booths inside it, by helicopters arranged through the Indian Air Force on Monday.
Voting will continue till 5 pm in 311 booths and conclude an hour earlier, at 4 pm, in 47 sensitive booths, including those in Maoist-affected areas.
In addition to 14 companies of the Central Armed Police Force (CAPF), 80 platoons of force, which include 58 platoons of police and 22 special forces including paramilitary forces, have been deployed in the constituency to ensure smooth voting. Another 35 mobile patrolling parties and seven quick response teams (QRTs) have been stationed to address any irregularities.
The counting of votes will take place on November 14 at the district headquarters amid a three-tier security setup.
