Voting begins in 6 Lok Sabha and 42 assembly seats in Odisha

BHUBANESWAR: Voting began in six Lok Sabha seats of Odisha and 42 assembly seats amid tight security.

More than 94.48 lakh voters will switch the electronic voting machines (EVMs) twice each to determine the outcomes for 64 candidates vying for six Lok Sabha seats and 383 hopefuls contesting 42 assembly seats in the crucial third phase (sixth for India) of simultaneous elections, which is seen as pivotal in deciding who will form the next state government here.

“I am voting for change,” said Nilesh Kumar, a first-time voter in Patia.

The influential Bhubaneswar-Cuttack-Puri triangle, perceived the trendsetter for the state, is voting in this phase. Besides, the mining rich and tribal dominated Keonjhar, industrial belt of Dhenkanal and western Odisha gateway of Sambalpur will exercise their voting rights. Odia Asmita and missing keys of Ratna Bhandar, the sacred treasure of Lord Jagannath besides steps taken for tribals and middle class have been the key talking points.

Of the six LS segments going to poll, BJD had won four (Keonjhar, Dhenkanal, Cuttack and Puri) while BJP had two seats of Sambalpur and Bhubaneswar in 2019. Among the 42 assembly seats, BJD had won 34, BJP six and Congress two. Any change in the numbers this time may significantly alter the state’s political landscape.

People in the twin cities of Bhubaneswar and Cuttack, which in the past have recorded low polling percentage, were seen standing in long queues across booths. “I wanted to start my day with voting first,” said Nilima Mahakud (45), a homemaker.

The political futures of prominent figures such as Union minister Dharmendra Pradhan, Sambit Patra and Aparajita Saranagi of BJP besides BJD's Pranab Prakash Das and Santrupt Misra will be sealed in the EVMs.

In the largely direct contest between BJP and BJD, the two parties have hammered time and again before the electorate about the importance of voting their parties both for assembly and Lok Sabha. This may be because there was split voting in constituencies like Bhubaneswar where people voted BJP in Lok Sabha though BJD had won six of the seven MLA seats and Congress one.

Chief electoral officer Nikunja Dhal said elaborate security arrangements have been made to ensure a free and fair election. As many as 121 companies of central armed police force (CAPF) have been deployed which include 21 in Cuttack and Bhubaneswar.

Sambalpur being communally sensitive, the district administration has clamped proibitory orders under CrPC Section 144 till a day after the poll.


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