Amid unprecedented security due to naxalite menace, Orissa goes to polls tomorrow for 10 parliamentary and 70 Assembly constituencies.
About 1,26,38,467 voters are expected to exercise their franchise in the first phase, determining the fate of 671 candidates, which includes 72 (including 4 women) in 10 parliamentary constituencies and 599 (including 48 women) in 70 assembly segments.
The parliamentary constituencies going to polls tomorrow are Bargarh, Sundargarh (ST), Sambalpur, Balangir, Kalahandi, Nawarangpur (ST), Kandhamal, Aska, Berhampur and Koraput (ST).
While Bolangir parliamentary constituency has maximum 14,41,196 voters, Kandhamal has the lowest 10,63,531 voters. The voters will cast their vote in 15,045 polling stations, including about 3,000 'sensitive' polling stations, official sources said.
However, keeping in view the naxalite problem and poll boycott call given by the left-wing ultras, polling in 19 assembly segments in Nawrangpur, Koraput, Berhampur and Kandhamal parliamentary constituencies would be held from 7 am to 3 pm. In other locations, the voting will be held between 7 am and 4 pm.
To ensure free and fair poll in the state, 4,000 jawans of paramilitary forces and three choppers were deployed in the sensitive and naxal-affected areas. Besides, the state has sought seven more companies of central forces to ensure peaceful voting, sources added.
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During the first phase of the assembly elections, 35 candidates without assets are trying their luck. It includes 12 candidates contesting independently, 4 contesting in Samajwadi party ticket, 3 in Samrudha Orissa ticket. Both BJP and BJD had one candidate each in this category.
The profile of educational qualification of the candidates for the state assembly reveals that 23 candidates have qualification ranging from 5th to 7th class. While 112 candidates had education up to 8th to 9th class, 89 candidates are matriculates. Similarly, 70 candidates have intermediate and seven diploma qualification.
The number of graduates among the candidates is 182 and post graduates 69.While one candidate has PhD qualification, 42 candidates have not mentioned their educational qualification.
Importantly, 116 candidates contesting for assembly constituencies have criminal records. While 29 of them are contesting as independents, among the recognised parties, the Congress leads the list with 26 candidates having criminal records. BJD has fielded 17 candidates having criminal records and is closely followed by the BJP with 15 such candidates.
In the first phase, among 29 ‘crorepatis’ who are contesting the polls, Kabisuryanagar candidate of BJD, V Sugyana Kumari Deo, tops the list with a total asset of Rs 9.3 crore.