The second phase polling for the parliamentary and assembly seats in Orissa today witnessed 61.46 percent (provisional) voters turnout despite scorching heat conditions. The first phase polls in the state held on April 16 had recorded 65.9 per cent voters turnout.
Orissa chief minister Naveen Patnaik cast his vote in a school located in the airport area under Ekamra assembly segment and Bhubaneswar parliamentary constituency early this morning. The polling for 11 parliamentary and 77 assembly constituencies held today remained largely peaceful with no report casualty due to violence. However, there were some disturbances outside the polling booths and snatching of the Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) in some places. While highest 65 percent polling was recorded in Dhenkanal district, Khurda and Cuttack district recorded 58 per cent polling when the reports last came in. As a large number of voters were still waiting to vote in the booth premises, the turn out percentage will be higher, Alka Panda, the chief electoral officer (CEO) for Orissa said.
Addressing the media after the second phase poll, she said, there were 3 cases of EVM snatching in booth no. 121 in Niali assembly constituency, booth no. 23 in Pipli assembly constituency and booth no 77 in Chandbali assembly constituency.
Violence outside the booth was reported in booth no 23 under in Athgarh assembly constituency where supporters of two independent candidates clashed with each other. Similarly, in booth no 116 and 118 of Banki assembly constituency, a police jeep was damaged by a mob. In booth no 222 under Patakura assembly constituency in Kendarapara district two groups clashed with each other.
Sarada Prasad Nayak, the MLA representing Rourkela assembly constituency was arrested under section 151 of CRPC and later released by the police as no FIR was lodged against his name. However, Nayak has been served show cause notice as he violated the model code of conduct, Panda added. Besides, there were clashes between rival supporters in booth no 99 in Brahmagiri, booth no 239 in Anandapur assembly constituency, booth no 144 and 145 in Jagatsinghpur assemble constituency, booth no 29 in Paradeep constituency and booth no 129 in Chandbali assembly constituency. However, Panda refuted the allegation that 2 polling officers died due to the sunstroke. She said, a polling officer named as P M Muduli was drunk last night and was not given poll duty today. He was hospitalised and died at 11.15am today.