Voting for five Lok Sabha constituencies and 35 assembly seats in Odisha commenced at 7 am on Monday under stringent security measures, officials reported.
The parliamentary constituencies of Aska, Kandhamal, Bolangir, Bargarh, and Sundargarh are in focus, with simultaneous elections being held in 35 assembly segments within these constituencies.
A total of approximately 79.69 lakh voters are expected to cast their ballots at 9,162 booths spread across 7,339 locations.
Polling will continue until 6 pm, although voting in some remote and Maoist-affected areas will close earlier, officials confirmed.
Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) N B Dhal reassured that extensive arrangements have been made to ensure the smooth conduct of the elections and facilitate voter convenience.
"Over 79.69 lakh electors are eligible to vote, with 40 candidates contesting for the five Lok Sabha seats and 265 contestants vying for the 35 assembly segments," Dhal stated.
Among the prominent leaders whose political futures hang in the balance are Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik, contesting from two assembly segments—Hinjili in Ganjam district and Kantabanji in Bolangir district—alongside six Odisha ministers, BJP MPs Sangeeta Singh Deo and Jual Oram, and former Indian hockey captain Dilip Tirkey.
By Sunday afternoon, approximately 60,000 polling personnel had arrived at their assigned destinations, ready to facilitate the voting process, according to Dhal.
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