Odisha 3rd phase elections begin in 6 PCs, 42 ACs amid tight security

Bhubaneswar: The sixth phase (3rd phase for Odisha) began today in 6 Parliamentary Constituencies and 42 Assembly Constituencies amid tight security.

The voting started at 7.00 AM at 10,551 polling stations including 2,000 model polling stations in 6 PCs — Bhubaneswar, Puri, Cuttack, Sambalpur, Keonjhar and Dhenkanal — and 42 ACs in 12 police districts of Sambalpur, Deogarh, Angul, Keonjhar, Mayurbhanj, Dhenkanal, Cuttack, Cuttack UPD, Nayagada, Puri, Khordha and Bhubaneswar UPD.

Total 94.48 lakh electors including 48.30 lakh male and 46.18 lakh female electors and 1,291 third genders will franchise their democratic right in the 3rd phase of polls in Odisha.

Of total 10,551 polling stations, 3,000 polling stations have been identified as critical. The ECI has deployed 121 companies of CAPF for smooth conduct of the voting. About 1500 polling stations will be managed by all women polling personnel and another by 30 PWD polling personnel.

Out of total constituencies, 3 municipal corporations — Bhubaneswar, Cuttack and Sambalpur — are going to polls today. The CEO Odisha Nikunja Bihari Dhal appealed to the urban voters to come out in large numbers to choose their candidates.

Odisha has voted very well during 4th and 5th phase (1st and 2nd phase for Odisha) on May 13 and 20 registering a good turnout, which was higher than 2019 percentage.