The fourth phase elections for six Lok Sabha and 41 Assembly constituencies in Odisha began on Monday. Voting began at 7 AM amid adequate security arrangements for the conduct of polls in Kendrapara, Jagatsinghpur, Mayurbhanj, Balasore, Bhadrak and Jajpur and 41 Assembly constituencies under these segments. However, EVM malfunction was reported at multiple polling booths today.
Polling will continue till 6 pm in these constituencies spread over eight districts. Over 95 lakh voters are eligible to cast votes in 10,792 booths to decide the fate of 388 candidates in the fourth phase. While 52 candidates are in the fray for the six Lok Sabha seats, 336 candidates are fighting for assembly segments.
67.5 per cent voter turnout recorded till 7:00 PM in the fourth phase polls in Odisha, as per the office of the Chief Electoral Officer.
RUCKUS AT POLL BOOTH
As many as 500 voters are waiting to cast their votes at booth-58 in Mauda of Mahanga constituency following a ruckus reportedly after voters, who had already cast their votes were asked to leave the booth compound after 6 PM.
DGP ON VIOLENCE DURING POLLING
ACTION AGAINST POLLING OFFICIALS
A polling officer of booth-127 in Nimapara was dismissed from polling duty on charges of influencing voters to vote for a specific party. The official was also reportedly thrashed by voters.
In Jajpur, three polling officials suspended for violating norms by entering voting compartments. Chief Electoral Officer Surendra Kumar informed that presiding officers of booths 191 & 135 in Binjharpur & polling officer of booth-196 in Sukinda have been suspended.
POLL VIOLENCE
BJD and BJP workers clashed at booth no - 242 in Ratilo under Salepur over influencing voters. During the violent clash, two BJP workers suffered injuries after allegedly being attacked by BJD workers.
In another incident of poll violence, a Congress worker was stabbed to death with broken bottle allegedly by a BJD worker at Noliasahi near Gadakujanga under Balikuda-Erasama. The deceased, Lachman Behera, was attacked while he was returning after casting his vote. Behera had quit BJD yesterday and later joined the Congress party.
WHO CAST OUR VOTE?
"Who cast our vote?" question two government officials after finding that someone had already voted in their names when they reached booth no 204 & 205 in Raisunguda of Salepur to cast vote; Polling officer at the booth informed that their votes have already been cast through postal ballot.
Jahara Khaucha Taku Deba, Nahele Katidebi (Vote for the one who feeds you else I will...)
Jajpur Collector suspends presiding officer of Binjharpur booth no.191 Baikunthanath Mallick for allegedly influencing voters, also directs to arrest Mallick. The Collector also suspended Janardhan Prusty, fourth polling officer at booth no.196 in Sukinda.
Resentment brews among voters at a polling station in Danagadi block under Sukinda Assembly constituency due to EVM malfunction & lack of proper arrangements
Polling process disrupted at booth No. 80 and 81 in Dharmasala block under Jajpur LS constituency after BJP polling agents were allegedly attacked by BJD workers. Confirmation awaited.
Have a look at some incidents of violence reported at different polling booths:
BJP worker's arm fractured after being allegedly attacked by BJD workers at Kundei booth no. 68 of Basta under Balasore LS constituency
Polling disrupted following a scuffle inside Kasarda Patrakana booth in Niali; BJP poll agent who reportedly sustained injuries in the attack lodges complaint against BJD agents
Tension erupts at booth no.86 following a clash between BJD and Congress workers at Basudevpur in Bhadrak; the scuffle ensued after BJD supporter entered the booth multiple times; youth detained by cops
BJD workers' goondaraj in Sukarpada booth in Mahanga during BJP's Kendrapara LS candidate Jay Panda's visit; BJD backed Samiti member allegedly attacks BJP worker, OTV team manhandled
17 per cent voter turnout recorded till 11 AM in the fourth phase polls in Odisha, as per the office of the Chief Electoral Officer.
Nearly 1,000 persons of 302 families at Bargadia Dalitsahi in Sukinda boycott polls over false assurance of district administration to shift them from Kalinganagar Industrial area in Jajpur
9 per cent voter turnout recorded till 9 AM in the fourth phase polls in Odisha, as per the office of the Chief Electoral Officer.
Voting delayed at booth number 71, 183, 198, 220 in Bhandaripokhari, Dhamnagar (booth no 222, 244, 245, 54, 243), Soro (booth no 2, 46, 208,50), Simulia (booth no 119, 109, 110), Basudevpur (booth no 69,114,116), Chandbali (booth no 216, 14, 239) in Bhadrak due to EVM glitches
Voting delayed due to EVM glitches in booth no 219, 268 in Kakatpur, booth no 42, 66 of Nimapara, booth no 214 in Paradip, multiple places in Kujanga; people of Naliapala village under Garei panchayat in Erasama boycott polls
Voting delayed at booth no booth no 226 & 128 in Aul and booth no 213 in Aienda of Mahanga Kendrapara due to EVM Malfunction
Voting delayed at booth no 115 of Dharmasala, booth no 110 of Bari & booth no 96 of Jajpur following a technical snag in EVMs
Voting delayed in multiple booths in Mayurbhanj- booth no 34 & 35 in Baripada, Bangiriposhi (booth no 33), Badasahi (booth no 101, 22), Rairangpur (booth no 142, 142, 197), Saraskana (booth no 39 & 60)
Voting delayed at booth number 181 & 185 following an EVM malfunction under Dhamnagar Assembly constituency in Bhadrak
First Information: Voting delayed at booth no 5 in Ulumara panchayat and Natakata panchayat's booth no 203 in Balasore due to glitches in VVPAT machines
First Information: Resentment among voters as EVM at booth no 226 in Rajnagar of Kendrapara develops technical snag
First Information: Voting delayed due to EVM glitches in booth no 138 under Balikuda-Erasama constituency in Jagatsinghpur district