The Hindu : Other States / Orissa News : 58 per cent polling recorded in Laxmipur byelection

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Sunday, Apr 13, 2008
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58 per cent polling recorded in Laxmipur byelection

Ch. Santakar

P. Silabadi residents defy boycott call given by Maoists

Elaborate security arrangements made for polling
Counting of ballots to be taken up on April 6

Voters waiting in a queue to exercise their franchise in Laxmipur constituency byelection in Koraput district on Saturday.

KORAPUT: About 58 per cent voters exercised their franchise during the by-election to the Laxmipur Assembly constituency on Saturday. People of P. Silabadi village of Bandhugaon block in Koraput district turned up in large numbers to cast their votes despite the boycott call given by Maoists, Deepak Kumar, SP, said.

The polling process was carried out under tight security in the region and no untoward incident was reported from any part of the constituency, he added.

While the voters’ turnout at polling booths remained dull till noon in all parts of the constituency, it picked up in the afternoon to reach around 61 percent in Kashipur, 60 percent in Laxmipur, 53 percent in Narayanpatna and 51 percent in Bandhugaon blocks.

However, the exact number of votes polled would be known once all the figures from all the booths reach the central control room, D. Jaganath, returning officer, said at Rayagada.

Voters had to wait for long time in booths like Khalokona of Laxmipur block due to allotment of a single booth for 1377 voters.

A polling official was replaced by the election observer at Renga poling booth in Kashipur block following complaints against him.

People from 11 villages of Kaberibadi panchayat and two villages of Bandhugaon panchayat in Bandhugaon block boycotted the election in protest against non fulfilment of their demands to complete development works in the region.

PTI adds: “The polling remained by and large peaceful,” Mr. Jagannath said.

Elaborate security arrangements were made with deployment of Special Operation Group, Central Reserve Police Force, Orissa State Armed Police and district voluntary force to ensure peaceful and fair polling.

Counting of votes is scheduled to be held on April 16 to decide the fate of five candidates -- Bibhishan Majhi (BJD), Purnachandra Majhi (Congress), Kumuda Saunta (Samajwadi Party), Upendra Majhi (Samrudha Orissa) and B Tirupati

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