The counting of votes for Odisha municipal elections has begun amid tight security arrangements today. As per schedule, the counting started from 8 am.
Nearly 65 percent of the total 40.55 lakh voters had exercised their franchise in the elections to urban local bodies held on March 24. However, the counting of votes has been delayed in Bhubaneswar following the tension which reported at the BJB College strong room over the alleged entry of a youth in the restricted zone.
The process is being carried out at 12 tables each for counting of votes polled for corporator seats and Mayor seat in the three municipal corporations of Bhubaneswar, Cuttack and Berhampur. Similarly, there are five tables each for counting of votes for councillor and chairperson seats in municipalities and two tables each for counting of votes for councillor and chairperson seats in NACs.
To ensure transparency, the State Election Commission has provided one counting supervisor and one counting assistant for each table. There will be Group D staff to assist the teams in transporting EVMs to the counting tables.