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.
Alia Bhatt Trolled For Supporting Elvish Yadav: Alia Bhatt found it difficult to support Elvish Y
Delhi Police hold Inter State meeting on Security
New Delhi, Jan 16 (IANS) In view of the Republic Day celebrations with US President Barack Oba
Monkeypox: Competition between Serum and Bharat Biotech to make monkeypox vaccine
Like Corona, now there is a competition between two big famous companies in the country regarding
Congress alone can develop Telangana: Manmohan Singh
Hyderabad, April 26 (IANS) Prime Minister Manmohan Singh Saturday claimed that formation of Tel
Congress Promises Cheap Power, Waiver on Water Bills (Lead)
New Delhi, Jan 23 (IANS) Seeking to hard sell its "achievements" during its 15-year-rule in Del
Indian Army's Eastern Command chief Lt Gen RP Kalita said on Monday that China's People's Liberat
The Russia-Ukraine war has been going on for more than two months, but the heat of the war is inc
Fire at Delhi's Ansal Chamber, no casualties
New Delhi, Feb 17 (IANS) A major fire broke out at a building housing several offices of differ
Morena Baccarin to play female lead in 'Deadpool'
Los Angeles, Feb 19 (IANS) “Homeland” actress Morena Baccarin will play the female l
The Pakistan cricket team has a history of poor fielding. Now it's safe to say that the team can'