Odisha by-polls: Voter turnout low compared to General Elections 2019

Bhubaneswar: The by-polls to Balasore Sadar and Tirtol Assembly Constituencies were held peacefully yesterday with final voter turnout of 70.69 % in Balasore and 69.66 % in Tirtol, informed Odisha Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) Sushil Kumar Lohani today.

While 3,193 people, including 104 COVID-19 patients franchised votes in Tirtol , 1,631 people, including six COVID-19 patients have cast their votes through postal ballot in Balasore.

The voter turnout is comparatively low than the last simultaneous General Elections 2019. It was 71.29% in Balasore and 74.09% in Tirtol during the General Elections.

“21 COVID patients who were in home isolation and two COVID suspects who were identified though thermal screening also voted in Tirol. One patient admitted in COVID hospital Paradip also voted in the last hour,” said Lohani.

Similarly, in Balasore, 23 COVID positive patients who were in home isolation and five suspect cases who were identified through thermal screening turned up at polling stations in the last hour and allowed to vote observing all safety protocols, he further added.

“The polled EVMs are safely stored in strong rooms, Balasore Collectorate EVM warehouse premises and in SVM College, Jagatsinghpur duly guarded by the CAPF in the inner cordon and the State Armed Police in the outer cordon. The strong rooms are under CCTV surveillance and political parties have been allowed to watch this through their representatives outside the strong rooms through CCTV monitors 24X7 ,” said Lohani.

Lohani further thanked the voters of both the constituencies for extending full cooperation to the district administration, all party worker and Corona Warriors for extending support to the Election Commission in carrying out the tasks.