Today marks the fourth and last phase of voting in Odisha. Voting is underway in six Lok Sabha seats and 42 assembly seats. Approximately one crore voters will decide the fate of 460 candidates.
There are 66 MPs and 394 MLA candidates. The fourth phase draws the most voters in the state. Of the total 99 lakh 61 thousand voters, 55 lakh 88 thousand are men. The number of female voters is 48 lakh 72 thousand. There are a total of 10,882 polling stations, including around 1400 Sakhi booths.
Twenty percent of the booths are classified as ideal booths. 70,000 polling personnel were assigned to handle the election smoothly. 126 companies of the Central Armed Police Force (CAPF) have been deployed with the state police to maintain law and order.
At least 36,000 police personnel have been deployed to provide security for the last phase of the election in Odisha. The sensitive booths will be the central Armed Police Forces (CAPF). As many as 126 companies of CAPF will be deployed.
Police DG Arun Sarangi said this in a press meet held in the afternoon on Friday. 255 flying squads and 843 mobile squads will be deployed. Police are ready and shall maintain law and order. He said that the EVM will be kept in a two-tier security system.
The last phase of voting in Odisha has the highest number of voters and the fate of as many as 460 candidates will be tested, said the Chief Election Officer. According to reliable reports, the last phase of vote will take place on June 1 that is Saturday in which as many as more than one crore voters will cast their votes, informed the CEO Nikunja Bihari Dhal.
Polling will be held on June 1 from 7 am to 6 pm in the last phase voting in Odisha. 10,882 polling stations have been established in the last phase of voting. While there are more than 1400 Sakhi (pink) booths specifically for women. Reports say that 20 percent booths have been designated as ideal booths.
It is also worth noting that Sec.144 would be implemented in eight assembly constituencies in Mayurbhanj, Odisha, to preserve peace and order during the polling on Saturday. This would be done to ensure that the Simultaneous General Election to the Lok Sabha and Odisha Legislative Assembly in 2024 is peaceful, free, and fair.
Section 144 in Mayurbhanj will be implemented in Baripada, Kaptipada, Bamanghaty (Rairangpur), and Panchpir (Karanjia). All possible measures will be taken to prevent a breach of peace during the upcoming election.