The first phase elections of panchayat elections in Odisha begins today. After the recent incidence of violence reporting in several parts of Odisha, the election process is been dome under tight security and strict vigilance of police.
Voters will decide the fate of 726 zilla parishad candidates in the first phase of the polls. As many as 225 platoons of police force have been deployed to maintain law and order. Around 37,245 police personnel are supervising security arrangements in booths and sensitive locations.
In the first phase, polling is taking place in 200 zilla parishad zones in 71 blocks, 1,669 panchayats and 22,379 wards. A total of 67.51 lakh voters are exercising their franchise.
