Odisha ULB Polls: 40.55 lakh voters to seal fate of over 6,000 candidates

Bhubaneswar: A total of 40.55 lakh voters will exercise their franchise in the ensuing Urban Local Body (ULB) polls, scheduled to be held on March 24, informed State Election Commissioner (SEC) Odisha Aditya Prasad Padhi here today.

Briefing mediapersons regarding preparations for the elections, the official said around 22,000 officials will be be deployed on poll duty and they have been asked to reach their respective polling stations by the afternoon of March 23. District administrations have made necessary arrangements for the same.

The SEC further informed that elaborate secure arrangements have been made to ensure smooth conduct of the elections. Total 195 platoons of police force will be deployed. While 30 platoons of police force will be deployed in Bhubaneswar Municipal Corporation (BMC), Cuttack and Berhampur Municipal Corporations will have 20 and 10 platoons of police force, respectively. Besides, 300 mobile parties will be engaged.

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While 569 people are in fray for Mayor and Chairperson posts, 5,842 are contesting for Corporator and Councilor posts.

Total 40,55,053 people will be allowed to cast their vote at total 4,373 booths from 8 am to 5 pm on the polling day. Each polling booth will have two EVMs, he added.

The elections for 106 ULBs (47 Municipalities and 59 NACs) and three Municipal Corporations will be held in 1672 Municipality and NAC Wards and in 165 Wards of three Municipal Corporations.

Counting of votes and declaration of results will take place on March 26.