Bhubaneswar: The fifth and last phase of 3-Tier PRI Elections – 2022 in the State will be held on February 24 during which people of 25 districts will cast their votes. The Swabhiman Anchal (erstwhile cut-off area) under Chitrakonda Block in Malkangiri district will also go for poll during this phase. The State Police have made elaborate security arrangements for free and fair elections.
Total 258 platoons force, 1148 mobile patrolling parties along district police have been deployed all over the state for smooth conduct of fourth phase of elections. Total 13,514 booths have been readied for this phase of elections. The election will be conducted with strict enforcement of State Election Commission Guidelines and Covid protocols, Odisha Police stated.
“Polling has been completed in 78,389 booths throughout the State during the first four phases of PRI Elections. Polling has been peaceful barring disruptions in a negligible number of Booths due to public disturbances, wrong folding / printing of ballot papers and other reasons,” Odisha Police stated.
Polling is already over peacefully in 7 Police districts – Jharsuguda, Boudh, Deogarh, Berhampur, Angul, UPD Cuttack and Khurda. Police have arrested 103 accused persons in Jajpur, 10 in Dhenkanal district, 7 in Jagatsinghpur district, 3 in Kendrapara district and 24 persons in Puri district in connection with poll disruption incidents during the first four phases.
“Adequate security arrangements have been made in different Strong Rooms throughout the State with CCTV coverage to ensure round the clock safety of polled Ballot Boxes. Security and CCTV arrangements are also being made at different Block Headquarters throughout the State by respective SPs for smooth counting of votes,” a press note issued by the State Police Headquarters read.
