Bhubaneswar: The second phase of the panchayat elections begins in Odisha as polling commences at 7 AM on Friday.
Around 62.10 lakh voters in 1514 panchayats in 68 blocks across all 30 districts in the State are to exercise their franchise in the second phase polling. A total of 747 candidates are contesting for the 186 Zilla Parishad (ZP) zones.
The polling is being held at 20,466 booths. Out of it, 3,065 are sensitive booths. Only voters whose names are present in the ward-wise voters’ list are to be allowed to cast their votes.
Meanwhile, security measures have been heightened across the State. 240 platoons force, 1753 mobile patrolling parties, and district police personnel have been deployed for smooth conduct of the polls.
DGP Sunil Bansal had yesterday said that strict action will be taken against anyone involved in disrupting the polls.
