Whopping 71% turnout in first-phase Odisha panchayat polls

Swetaparna Published On : Feb 13, 2017 at 6:36 PM Updated On : Feb 14, 2017 at 7:09 PM

Odisha Sun Times Bureau
Bhubaneswar, Feb 13:

A record 71% voters exercised their franchise in the first-phase of the three-tier panchayat polls in the state, informed State Election Commissioner (SEC) Rabi Narayan Senapati here today.

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The SEC said while Sonepur district recorded maximum polling of 84.3%, Bolangir district recorded the lowest with 60%.

Senapati said barring some stray incidents of violence, polling was largely smooth in the state.

The SEC stated reports have been sought from the Collectors where polling was affected due to violence.

A decision on re-poll in these places will be taken after reports are available from the Collectors, he added.

It may be mentioned here that polling was held for electing 189 Zilla Parishad Members in 65 blocks spread over 29 of the 30 districts; 1506 Sarpanchs and Samiti Members; 20,369 Ward Members at 20,369 booths in the first phase.

Odisha panchayat polls