70 pc turnout in Umerkote bypoll

Nabarangpur: An estimated 70 per cent voters exercised their franchise in the by-election for Umerkote assembly constituency of Maoist-affected Nabarangpur district on Wednesday.

"Polling remained smooth and peaceful during which an estimated 70 per cent of the 1.65 lakh electorate voted in the by-poll," Additional District Magistrate Narendra Pradhan, who is also the returning officer, said.

Amidst tight security, polling was held in 162 booths of which 70 had been identified as sensitive and 67 as hyper-sensitive, official sources said adding voting was high in areas bordering Chhattisgarh.

The contesting candidates in the tribal-dominated segment are Dharmu Gond of BJP, Subas Gond of BJD and Jatindra Gond of Congress Party.

Counting of votes will be held on December four