Voting under way in Odisha for LS, assembly polls (Lead)

Posted on 10th Apr 2014 03:34 pm by admin

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.

Other news

Bihar Board Result 2023: Bihar Board has given the 10th, and 12th exam, so check on which day the results will be declared

Bihar Board Result 2023: Bihar Board Intermediate and High School candidates are eagerly waiting

PK told Congress weak then Baghel targeted Mamta, said – those who cannot even win their seat…

All is not well between election strategist Prashant Kishor and the Congress party. Two months ag

Rajinikanth: Rajinikanth received a golden visa from the UAE government, said - 'I feel very honored'

South superstar Rajinikanth has been given a golden visa by the Culture and Tourism Department of

Jaishankar Argentine Visit: Jaishankar meets the President of Argentina, and emphasizes increasing bilateral cooperation with India

Indian External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar met with the President of Argentina Alberto Fernan

REC to provide Rs.24,000 crore for Telangana power projects

Hyderabad, March 21 (IANS) The Rural Electrical Corporation (REC) Limited, a central government

R Hari Kumar: The process of buying Predator drones for surveillance of China continues, the Navy chief informed

India is preparing to buy Predator drones from America. On Saturday, Navy Chief Admiral R Hari Ku

Kuwait: The Kuwait government will give compensation of Rs 12.5 lakh to the families of Mangaf fire victims, the amount will be received from the embassy

The Kuwaiti government will pay compensation of US $ 15,000 (Rs 12.5 lakh) to the families of the

Essar was wooing Gadkari, says Congress; BJP dismissive

New Delhi, Feb 27 (IANS) The Congress said Friday that corporate house Essar was wooing BJP lea

Election report from the Ghats of Banaras: Annoyed by the Pandey government of Kashi, no one took the name of Yogi; vote in the name of Modi

Vigorous preparations were going on for Shivratri at Assi Ghat in Banaras. A grand Ganga Aarti wa

Weather Update: The wait is over! Rain is expected in Delhi-NCR in the next few hours, drops of relief will also fall in 10 states including UP-Bihar

Delhiites are finally going to get relief from the scorching heat. Strong cold winds and clouds h