Security Tightened!
On Thursday, the Odisha State gears up for the civic body polls. The state has tightened all the security. As per the information, the polling will begin at 8 AM today.
According to the statement given by an official, it said:" Elections will be held in 106 civic bodies and three municipal corporations in Odisha today amid tight security."
Further, the official added, Polling will be held in 3,068 booths of 1,731 wards in the 106 civic bodies. In the three municipal corporations -- Bhubaneswar, Cuttack, and Berhampur -- a total of 168 wards will go to the polls and 1,407 booths have been set up.
Two EVMs will be used in each booth -- one to elect mayor/chairperson and another to elect corporators and councilors. For the first time in the urban polls, there will be a NOTA option for voters, said an official.
Whereas a total of 205 platoons of police have been deployed for the polling that will begin at 8 am and continue till 5 pm. One platoon comprises 20 personnel.
According to the statement given by state election commissioner, AP Padhi said, "Around 40.55 lakh people are eligible to exercise their franchise. The district authorities and police have been keeping strict vigil, '' he also appealed to the people to cast their votes without any fear."
Whereas the police said, Security arrangements have also been made in the strong rooms with CCTV coverage to ensure round-the-clock safety of EVMs. Also, 22,000 personnel have been engaged in the polling. Each booth will have one presiding officer and four polling officers.
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