Elections 2019: Around 76.93 lakh voters are voting for 279 candidates in Odisha (File)
The electoral fate of Biju Janata Dal (BJD) chief Naveen Patnaik will be decided today as Odisha cast votes to elect representatives to 35 assembly constituencies in the second phase of the elections. Polling is also being held in Aska, Kandhamal, Sundergarh, Bargarh and Bolangir Lok Sabha constituencies and the assembly segments under them.
Here are the top 10 updates on Assembly Elections in Odisha
Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik is contesting in two seats--Hinjili in Ganjam district and Bijepur in Bargarh. Senior Congress leader Narasingha Mishra is contesting from Bolangir assembly seat, while BJP's legislature party leader KV Singhdeo is contesting in Patnagarh.
Around 76.93 lakh voters will vote for 279 candidates in simultaneous Lok Sabha and assembly elections. Out of the total electorate, 37,47,493 voters are women. At least 605 voters belong to the third gender.
Union Tribal Affairs Minister Jual Oram of the BJP, BJD''s Rajya Sabha MPs Prasanna Acharya and Achyut Samant, BJP nominee and three-time MP Kharabela Swain are in the fray in the Lok Sabha polls.
Chief Election Officer Surendra Kumar has said that preparations for the second phase of polls have been completed.
"For the first time in the state, the vehicles of all sector officers are provided with GPS tracking facilities to ensure proper monitoring," was quoted by news agency PTI.
Out of the total number of 9,117 booths, 3,701 have been identified as critical, and arrangements have been made for deployment of Central Armed Police Force (CAPF) in 739 booths.
Similarly, steps have been taken for webcasting in 883 booths, providing CCTV in 623 booths and engaging 892 micro-observers, the officer added. Videography would be conducted in 331 places.
As some areas in Kandhamal, Bolangir and Bargarh are Maoist-affected, security has been heightened to ensure smooth conduct of polls in those pockets, a senior police officer told PTI.
Paramilitary forces, police, flying squads, static surveillance teams, poll observers, videography teams and excise sleuths will also be deployed in the constituencies.
The first phase of polling was held on April 11, the remaining phases are scheduled for today, April 23 and 29. Counting of votes will be held on May 23.
(With inputs from PTI)
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