The first of the two-phased simultaneous elections to the 10 Lok Sabha and 70 assembly seats in the Maoist belt in Odisha began today amidst tight security in view of the poll boycott called by the extremists.
The constituencies where polling is on are spread over the western and southern areas of Odisha and more than 50 of the 70 assembly segments are in the Maoist-affected areas.
With heat wave conditions intensifying in the areas, many voters were seen queuing up in front of booths since the early hours to avoid the scorching sun later.
The Lok Sabha constituencies where polling is on are Kandhamal, Koraput, Kalahandi, Bargarh, Bolangir, Berhampur, Sundargarh, Sambalpur, Aska, Nabarangpur.
Today's polling will decide the political fortunes of a total 98 candidates, including former Congress chief ministers Giridhar Gamang and Hemanand Biswal, former union ministers Jual Oram (BJP) and Bhakta Charan Das (Congress).
Hockey star and former Indian team captain Dilip Tirkey is contesting from Sundargarh LS seat on a BJD ticket. He is pitted against Hemanand Biswal of Congress and Oram.
Prominent Odia cinestar Siddhant Mohapatra is the BJD candidate from Berhampur Lok Sabha seat.
A total 673 aspirants are in the reckoning for 70 assembly seats and an electorate of 1,36,46989 voters, including 66,62,309 women, will cast their ballots in total of 17,266 booths.
Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik is seeking re-election from Hinjili constituency in Ganjam district.
