Bhubaneswar: The first phase of the three-tier elections to Panchayats across Odisha was carried off smoothly with minor incidents of violence reported on Wednesday, the State Election Commission (SEC) stated.
According to the SEC, polling was held at 22,379 booths for 200 Zilla Parishad Members in 1,669 Gram Panchayats in 71 blocks, on February 16. The SEC has taken serious note of violence in the first phase of election and directed DG Police to ensure that the forthcoming phases of polls be conducted with absolute peace.
On the first day of the polls, 70 per cent polling was recorded with an electorate of 67.51 lakh. On Wednesday, polling was not conducted in Ward No 11 of Dundamela Gram Panchayat on Junagarh block in Kalahandi district, the SEC stated.
The voting process was hindered due to violence at some places. According to the preliminary report, 3 booths in Dhenkanal, 7 in Jajpur, and 5 booths in Puri reported such incidents which caused hindrance to voting process. The district Collectors and been asked to submit a detailed report on these booths. After receiving the reports, the SEC will contemplate future action.
