Bhubaneswar: Amid tight security, voting for election to five Lok Sabha and 35 MLA seats was started at 7 AM. A voter turnout of 35.31 per cent recorded in these constituencies till 1 PM in the polling for five Lok Sabha constituencies and 35 Assembly segments on Monday, officials said.
Voting is under way in Aska, Kandhamal, Bargarh, Bolangir and Sundergarh parliamentary constituencies along with 35 assembly segments within the jurisdiction of these Lok Sabha seats.
According to reports, some unidentified persons allegedly hacked an auto-rickshaw driver to death near Sarsara under Sadar police limits in Bargarh district. The deceased was carrying some voters to the polling booth. While the family members claimed it was a political murder, police say personal enmity is the reason behind the crime.
Chief Electoral Officer N B Dhal said polling was peaceful and there was no report of any untoward incident till 1 PM. The CEO said 48 ballot units, 48 control units and 170 VVPATs have been replaced due to glitches after polls began.
Shri Dhal said that out of the five LS seats, the highest 38.18 per cent polling was recorded in Bargarh Parliamentary seat followed by Sundergarh (36.32%), Kandhanmal (35.09%), Aska (34.38%) and Bolangir (32.82%).
From among the 35 assembly constituencies, tribal-dominated Bonai assembly seat in Sundergarh district recorded the highest 47.20 per cent while the lowest voter turnout was 26.77 per cent at Kantabanji assembly segment in Bolangir district.
Shri Dhal said that industrial Assembly segments like Brajrajnagar and Jharsuguda also witnessed good voter turnout. Till 1 PM around 35.31 per cent of the over 79.69 lakh voters have exercised their franchise, officials said.
Informing about one murder in Bargarh district, the CEO said the crime is not related to election and both the accused and deceased belonged to the same village. Both were under the influence of liquor and the incident happened for their personal revelry, he said.
To ensure law and order situation, SPs and IG have been rushed to the spot along with CAPFs and the situation is under control, he said.