Bhubaneswar, April 10 (IANS) Polling began on a peaceful note for 10 Lok Sabha and 70 assembly seats in Odisha, an official said.
People stood in queues outside polling centres before polling started at 7 am.
"Everywhere balloting has started. We talked to all the district collectors and police officials and from nowhere have we got any complaints so far. It has started on a peaceful note," state's Chief Electoral Officer Mona Sharma told IANS.
Over 13 million electors will cast their ballots in the first phase of polling.
There are a total of 28,880,850 voters in the state. Polling for the remaining 11 Lok Sabha seats and 77 assembly seats would be held in the second phase April 17.
Security was tight, and paramilitary personnel and police have been deployed in vulnerable areas to ensure trouble-free polling.
Defying boycott call given by Maoists, people came to exercise their franchise in the southern districts of Koraput, Malkangiri, Rayagada, Kalahandi and Kandhamal.
Prominent candidates in the first phase are Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik, and two former chief ministers and senior Congress leaders, Giridhar Gomang and Hemananda Biswal.
State Revenue Minister Surya Narayan Patro, former union minister and Bharatiya Janata Party leader Jual Oram, state BJP president K.V. Singh Deo, and Congress leader Narasingh Mishra are also in the fray.
Odisha saw intense campaigning by political heavyweights, including Congress president Sonia Gandhi, vice president Rahul Gandhi, BJP chief Rajnath Singh and prime ministerial candidate Narendra Modi.
Survey completed on the third day in Gyanvapi: Hindu side claims - Baba was found inside, Muslim side said - nothing like this
The survey of the Gyanvapi campus in Varanasi was completed on the third day on Monday. The report will be submitted to the court tomorrow. When Dr. Sohanlal of the Hindu side came out after the
New Covid Variant: Fear of another wave in UK, scientists alert about new 'ERIS' variant
The ongoing global corona infection has not stopped yet, researchers say that the virus is continuing to mutate, due to which the risk of new variants remains. All countries need to be careful about
World looking at India with hope: Modi tells diaspora (Roundup)
Gandhinagar, Jan 8 (IANS) Prime Minister Narendra Modi Thursday said the world was looking at India with "immense hope and optimism", and he firmly believed the 25-million strong Indian diaspora
Redmi 12C entry-level smartphone launched in India, starting price Rs 8,999
Redmi India has launched Redmi Note 12 4G and Redmi 12C in India. Both of these are 4G smartphones and the cost of both of them is less than Rs 15,000. There is a waterdrop notch display with Redmi
Salman Khan Sikandar: Censor scissors used on Salman's 'Sikandar', got U/A certificate, know the details of run time
Everyone is eagerly waiting for the release of Salman Khan and Rashmika Mandanna starrer film Sikandar. Some words have been asked to be removed from this film, along with this the run time of the
In the IPL, the complete list of batsmen who played the best innings from every team, Sanju also entered the entry
New Delhi Even though IPL 2021 is being held behind closed doors due to the Covid-19 pandemic and there is no absence of spectators on the field, there is no shortage of players' enthusiasm and
We need to assess India's strengths, weaknesses: Clarke
Adelaide, March 20 (IANS) After beating Pakistan quite convincingly in a cricket World Cup quarter-final at the Adelaide Oval here on Friday, Australia skipper Michael Clarke said they need to
Exports: Exports up 23.5 percent, trade deficit widens to a record $ 26.18 billion
The country's exports of goods have increased by 23.52 percent to $ 40.13 billion in June 2022. Imports during this period increased by 57.55% to $66.31 billion. The country's trade deficit widened by
Kartik Aaryan: Kartik Aryan narrowly escaped being a victim of an accident, fans who came to meet the actor broke the barricade.
Bollywood actor Kartik Aryan excited his fans by attending the Filmfare Awards held in Gujarat on Sunday night. However, during this time the actor narrowly escaped becoming a victim of a major
Ram temple, Article 370 in BJP manifesto
New Delhi, April 7 (IANS) The construction of Ram temple in Ayodhya and repealing Article 370 of the constitution that gives special status to Jammu and Kashmir find mention in the BJP's election
