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Voting to elect representatives for 67 wards of Bhubaneswar Municipal Corporation (BMC) today was largely peaceful barring stray incidents.
However, the voters' turnout, estimated between 40 and 45 per cent, was somewhat subdued.
"The polling for the BMC was largely peaceful except a few incidents which has been tackled by the security personnel," said Ajit Kumar Tripathy, state election commissioner.
Police resorted to lathi charge to disperse irate mobs at ward no 41 of Kharavela Nagar as tension prevailed in the area following clashes between two groups.
Sources said, three persons were injured in the clash while four vehicles were damaged.
Police claimed that the animosity between the two groups over some old incidents had triggered the clash.
About 690,000 voters exercised their franchise in 660 booths locking the fate of 393 candidates contesting in 67 wards of BMC.
The counting of votes will be conducted tomorrow. Elaborate arrangements has been made at the counting centre located at Buxi Jagabandhu Bidyadhar (BJB) College here.
The election for this corporation is crucial for all the political parties as the results will send out a message to the public at large about the mood of the educated and conscious voters in the state. The principal opposition party Congress today alleged that the ruling Biju Janata Dal (BJD) had resorted to distribution of cash, sarees and blankets to slum dwellers in the city to influence the voting. "We will move to the court against the BJD," said Jayadev Jena, President, Odisha Pradesh Committee. "The allegation comes after Congress realised that they are going to lose the election. The Congress should refrain from making such allegations," said Bikram Keshari Arukh, senior BJD leader.
