Bhubaneswar: A total of 2,14,878 voters are to exercise their franchise at 279 booths for the by-election to the Brajrajnagar Assembly constituency that is to be held on May 31.
Chief Electoral Officer Sushil Kumar Lohani today informed that while 14 persons had filed their nominations for the poll, after the withdrawal of three, there are 11 contesting candidates.
Out of the 2,14,878 voters, 3520 are Persons with Disabilities, 1628 are above 80 years of age, and 214 are service voters. From the date of the announcement of the election till the last day of nomination, 133 new voters were added. The final voters’ list was published after adding them.
A total of 325 voters are eligible to cast their votes through postal ballot. Such votes will be counted if they are received prior to 8 AM on the date of counting.
Lohani informed that 319 ballot units, 319 control units, and 419 VVPATs are available for the bypoll. A total of 1396 polling personnel are to participate in the polls. They will disperse from Jharsuguda Engineering School which is the collection centre and the location of the strong room.
A total of 380 vehicles are to be engaged for the polling parties. Strict enforcement measures have been adopted by both police and excise department. Several arms and liquor have been seized and pending non-bailable warrants (NBWs) have been executed.
Three companies of central paramilitary force are to be deployed for the polling. A helpline number 1950 has also been issued for the assistance of citizens.
A total of 61 micro observers are to be deployed for the bypoll. Live webcast will be conducted at 50% of booths and videography will be also held at certain booths, said Lohani.
It is pertinent to mention that the Brajrajnagar assembly seat had fallen vacant on December 31, 2021, due to the demise of Kishore Kumar Mohanty. The voting for the bypoll is to be held on May 31, 2022. The polling will be held between 7 am to 6 pm. The counting of votes and declaration of results will be on June 3.
