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.
Arun Govil, who played the character of Ram, is saddened by the demise of actor Arvind Trivedi, w
IMEI Registration Rule: Very soon in India, there is going to be a change regarding the IMEI numb
For the first time after her divorce with Indian cricketer Yuzvendra Chahal, YouTuber-dancer and
Afghanistan Earthquake Today: Earthquake tremors have been felt in Afghanistan. Today i.e. on the
SpiceJet airline planes may soon get the benefit of broadband internet services. The company's ch
Kangana: Kangana Ranaut called Hollywood stars 'jokers', commented on Donald Trump and Kamala Harris
Kangana Ranaut is known for her bold statements. Now Kangana has commented on Hollywood stars. Af
An update on Rajinikanth's health, he was admitted to the hospital on Monday due to ill health.
Superstar Rajinikanth has been admitted to Apollo Hospital in Chennai late Monday night. The acto
Government committed to protecting all groups: Jaitley
New Delhi, Feb 26 (IANS) The government is committed to protecting the rights of all communities
Don't Play with Nation's Unity: Modi on 'Immigrant' Goof-up (Lead)
New Delhi, Feb 4 (IANS) Prime Minister Narendra Modi Wednesday defended the party over the Visi
The first match of the four-Test series between India and England will start in Chennai on 5 Febr