52.6% Voter turnout in first phase of election in Odisha

First phase elections in Odisha end smoothly with minor violence at certain Maoist-infested regions during the polling. 52.6 per cent voting was recorded in 10 of the 21 Lok Sabha and 70 of the 147 assembly constituencies in Odisha.

Around 15% voting was recorded in the first hours of voting in 10 Lok Sabha and 70 assembly constituencies where Maoists set ablaze three polling booths in Malkangiri district.

Ignoring a threat by Maoists and any fear of communal attacks, voters in some Christian pockets in the riot hit district turned out enthusiastically to exercise their franchise with a 80 per cent turnout in Bambinigaon village, as security personnel kept a hawk's vigil,

While voter turnout gradually increased as the day progressed, police intensified patrolling. The security personnel on motor bikes were patrolling the areas, Kandhamal SP Pravin Kumar said

 Each of those Naxal-hit seats recorded around 50 per cent polling. Malkangiri recorded 40 per cent polling, Gajapati 60 per cent, Rayagada 50 per cent, Koraput 50 per cent, Sundargarh 50 per cent and Ganjam witnessed 52 per cent turn out of voters. 

Among the other seats that went to polls on Thursday, Angul witnessed 50 per cent polling, Sambalpur 52 per cent, Nawarangpur 50 per cent, Bolangir 55 per cent, Bargarh 55 per cent, Boudh 57 per cent, Subarnapur 60 per cent and Nayagarh 56 per cent.

Low turn-out of voters was recorded in naxal-infested areas like Malkangiri, Koraput and Sundargarh in view of poll boycott call given by the ultras, official sources said.

In 20 booths people boycotted polls – six each in Kalahandi and Koraput where people demanded development work, and eight booths in Rayagada district where people of Jhodia community were demanding scheduled tribe status. In Kotpad area, nobody turned up to vote in four polling booths due to the poll boycott call given by the Maoists.