Bhubaneswar: The police administration of Odisha’s Malkangiri district has been awarded by President Droupadi Murmu for high turnout of voters in the Assembly and Lok Sabha elections in 2024.
Former Malkangiri SP Nitesh Wadhwani received the award from the President at the 15th National Voters’ Day celebrations in New Delhi on Saturday.
Malkangiri police was selected for the award for its outstanding security arrangements and successful efforts in increasing voter turnout in the elections in Maoist-affected district, according to a report of TOI.
While the Election Commission had identified Malkangiri as one of the country’s most Maoist-affected districts, there was 7.66% increase in voting during the elections.
Malkangiri police’s initiative ‘Ama Swabhiman, Ama Vote’ led to the significant increase in voter turnout in 2024 compared to 2019. The trust-building initiative was implemented across 111 LWE-affected polling stations to boost electoral participation.
The assembly constituencies of Malkangiri and Chitrakonda registered 76.35% and 75.92% turnout, respectively, in 2024 against 72.94% and 68.26% in 2019.
Acknowledging the recognition, DGP YB Khurania said it was a reward for excellent election management.
