The fourth and final phase of Assembly and Parliamentary elections in Odisha faced disruptions as Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) malfunctioned at several polling stations.
· By 9 AM, a reported turnout of 7.69 percent was recorded, with Jagatsinghpur reporting the highest voter participation at 8.54%, followed by Balasore (7.46%).
· A total of over 99.61 lakh voters, including approximately 51 lakh men, 49 lakh women, and around 700 third-gender voters, were expected to participate in this final phase of voting.
· Chief Electoral Officer Nikunja Bihari Dhal assured the public of adequate arrangements for voter convenience amid the prevailing hot and humid conditions.
· Despite the obstacles, the spirit of democracy prevails, as citizens exercise their fundamental right to vote and shape the future of their state and nation.
The fourth and final phase of Assembly and Parliamentary elections in Odisha faced disruptions as Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) malfunctioned at several polling stations across the state, casting a shadow over the electoral process.
Instances of technical glitches were reported from various locations, including Basantpur, Balipada, and Belapala in Kendrapara district, Salipur, Nimidhi in Jagatsinghpur, and Bhandaripokhari of Bhadrak. Malfunctions were also noted in Rajnagar and Mahakalapada of Kendrapara, Balasore Sadar, Basta in Balasore, and Jasipur sector of Mayurbhanj district, hampering the smooth conduct of voting.
The affected areas included six Lok Sabha constituencies: Kendrapara, Jagatsinghpur, Bhadrak, Jajpur, Balasore, and Mayurbhanj, along with 42 Assembly segments under them. Despite the setbacks, voters demonstrated their commitment to the democratic process, turning out to exercise their franchise.
By 9 AM, a reported turnout of 7.69 percent was recorded, with Jagatsinghpur reporting the highest voter participation at 8.54%, followed by Balasore (7.46%), Bhadrak (7.79%), Jajpur (7.74%), Kendrapara (7.27%), and Mayurbhanj (7.33%).
A total of over 99.61 lakh voters, including approximately 51 lakh men, 49 lakh women, and around 700 third-gender voters, were expected to participate in this final phase of voting. Election authorities had set up 10,882 polling booths, including 1,400 Sakhi booths, to facilitate the electoral process.
Chief Electoral Officer Nikunja Bihari Dhal assured the public of adequate arrangements for voter convenience amid the prevailing hot and humid conditions. Polling, which commenced at 7 AM, is scheduled to continue till 6 PM under tight security measures.
Despite the challenges posed by EVM malfunctions, voters exhibited their commitment to the democratic process, emphasizing the significance of every vote in shaping the future of Odisha.
While addressing the media, CEO Dhal reiterated the importance of a smooth electoral process and highlighted the efforts made to address the technical glitches promptly. He assured voters that every measure was being taken to ensure their voices are heard and their votes counted accurately.
The occurrence of EVM malfunctions underscores the need for continuous improvements in electoral technology and infrastructure to safeguard the integrity of the electoral process and uphold the principles of democracy.
As the day progresses, authorities remain vigilant, striving to overcome challenges and uphold the sanctity of the electoral process in Odisha. Despite the obstacles, the spirit of democracy prevails, as citizens exercise their fundamental right to vote and shape the future of their state and nation.
(With inputs from agencies)
