Cuttack: Re-polling is being conducted at 15 booths of Pokharigaan gram panchayat under Niali block in the district today.
Voting is underway at booth no 1 to 9 and 12, 14, 17, 18, 20 and 21 amid tight security. Elaborate arrangements have been made to ensure a smooth conduct of polls. Activities are videographed at all booths. Adequate security personnel have been deployed to avoid any eventuality.
4 DSPs, 10 Inspectors, 10 Sub-Inspectors and 10 ASIs have been engaged in security of the polling centres. Cuttack rural SP is overseeing the security arrangements.
Alleging booth rigging at some polling centres of panchayat during elections on February 21, some miscreants allegedly looted ballot boxes from few booths following which State Election Commission had ordered for a re-poll at 6 booths of the GP.
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Violence took place again followed by scuffle and group clash in the panchayat during polling. A video of booth capture was telecast in the media in which people were seen manipulating votes threatening the polling officers. The SEC had ordered re-poll at 15 booths.
Polling will continue till 12 pm after which evaluation will be carried out in block office.
“Adequate police protection has been ensured in the area. Magistrates are also present. Video recording is being carried out at all booths. Voting is going on smoothly from 7 am onwards so we hope the polling will be completed peacefully,” Cuttack Sadar SDPO Jayant Mohapatra told media persons.