Panchayat polls: Odisha registers 78.3 per cent polling in second phase

Bhubaneswar: Odisha has registered 78.3 per cent voting in the second phase of the polling for the three-tier panchayat elections, an official of the State Election Commission (SEC) said on Saturday.

Stating that the second phase polling on Friday was by and large peaceful barring some stray incidents, the official said Subarnapur district registered the highest 85.67 per cent voter turnout followed by Jharsuguda (85.14), Boudh (84.9), Kalahandi (83.81), Gajapati (82.69) and Gajapati (82.69), reported PTI.

CM Naveen Patnaik’s native Ganjam district recorded the lowest turnout with 64.86 per cent.

The state during the first phase of polling on February 16 had registered a voter turnout of 77.2 per cent. The second phase polls were held at 20,436 booths in 1,514 panchayats in 68 blocks across the state.

Other districts which reported 80 per cent or above voter turnout were: Angul (80.32), Bhadrak (81.04), Deogarh, (81.08) and Dhenkanal (82.69).

Meanwhile, the SEC secretary RN Sahu said the commission has made elaborate arrangements for the third phase of polling on Sunday. The polling will take place in 68 blocks spread over 29 districts.