13-May-2024 04:44 PM
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Bhubaneswar, May 13 (Reporter) An estimated 53 per cent of the total 62.84 per cent voters exercised their franchise in four Lok Sabha and 28 Assembly constituencies in Odisha by 3 PM on Monday.
Chief Electoral Officer Nikunja Bihari Dhal said two more Presiding Officers posted at booth number 27 and 163 under Chhatrapur Assembly segment were suspended for dereliction of duty.
Dhal said he has asked the Ganjam District Collector to arrest these two Presiding Officers as sources said they were influencing the voters to cast votes in favour of a particular political party.
Dhal said another Presiding Officer of booth number 193 of Gopalpur Assembly constituency was also suspended for dereliction of duty.
Earlier, two polling officers, one at Narla and the other in Ganjam, have been placed under suspension for dereliction of duty.
The CEO said Kalahandi Lok Sabha recorded 58 per cent polling followed by 56 per cent in Nabarangpur, 53 per cent in Koraput and 45 per cent in Berhampur.
ECI sources said in Berhampur Lok Sabha constituency only two Assembly segments Chikti and Digpahandi recorded more than 50 per cent polling.
Similarly, in the Kalahandi Lok Sabha seat, the Narla Assembly segment recorded the highest polling of 61.65 per cent.
All the seven Assembly segments under Kalahandi Lok Sabha seat, however, recorded more than 50 per cent polling.
In Koraput Lok Sabha constituency, the Rayagada Assembly segment recorded 56.67 per cent polling, while the Koraput Assembly segment recorded the lowest 46.86 per cent polling...////...