Dikhyaa Mohanty 
The counting of votes for Odisha municipal elections has begun amid tight security arrangements today and as per schedule, the counting started from 8 am. Nearly 65 percent of the total 40.55 lakh voters had exercised their franchise in the elections to urban local bodies held on March 24. However, the counting of votes has been delayed in Bhubaneswar following the tension reported at the BJB College strong room over the alleged entry of youth in the restricted zone.
According to the reports, the process is being carried out at 12 tables each for counting of votes polled for corporate seats and Mayor seat in the three municipal corporations of Bhubaneswar, Cuttack, and Berhampur. Similarly, there are five tables each for counting of votes for councilor and chairperson seats in municipalities and two tables each for counting of votes for councilor and chairperson seats in NACs.
To ensure transparency, the State Election Commission has provided one counting supervisor and one counting assistant for each table. There will be Group D staff to assist the teams in transporting EVMs to the counting tables.
