Padampur bypoll ended peacefully as people from all walks of life exercised their franchise. Apart from normal booths, rush was seen in pink, model and sensitive booths.
The polling came to end at 4pm with candidates of three major political parties BJP, BJD and Congress inking their fingers. Counting will be held on December 8.
According to sources, excitement was high among voters of Padampur for this D-Day. Apart from women, elderly persons, youths, first-timers, differently-abled persons were seen too much excited to exercise their democracy rights by casting their votes.
The Bargarh district administration left no stone unturned for smooth conduct of the byelection. Polling booths were decorated to woo voters.
Apart from local voters, an NRI living in Oman returned home for exercising his democracy rights by casting his vote.
At a time when many responsible citizens of our country are seen refraining from casting their votes citing different reasons, differently-abled persons have set an example by inking their fingers during the Padampur by-polls.
They were not able to walk and talk properly. But they did not retreat from voting. And they were quite elated after casting their votes.
Booth numbers 211 and 212 (pink booth) also witnessed rush till the end of polling. Women in large numbers gave votes in support of their leaders.
Technical glitches in a few EVMs were reported before Padampur bypoll. The EVMs were found defunct during mock polls and voting in four booths. However, they were fixed/replaced immediately. There was no report of any untoward incident.
Candidates of three major political parties BJP, Congress and BJD also gave their votes. BJP candidate Pradip Purohit came to Paikamala Government Upper Primary School with his mother and wife to cast vote.
Similarly, BJD candidate Barsha Singh Bariha also exercised her franchise at 213 booth number at Padampur NAC Rajapada High School.
Congress candidate Satyabhusan Sahu cast his vote at Paikamal.
BJP candidate Pradip Purohit said, “I would like to thank people who do not belong to BJP but tried their best to make me win. I hope their efforts won’t go futile.”
BJD candidate Barsha said, “Earlier, I used to give vote to my father. Now, I am giving vote to myself. I know everyone’s blessing is with me and Naveen Patnaik will win.”
Congress candidate said, “I am confident of winning the election.”
Padampur bypoll: 65.28% voter turnout recorded till 3pm. Around 12,000 voters still on queues in 89 polling booths, informs Odisha Chief Electoral Officer, Sushil Lohani.