May 19th 2024.
Bhubaneswar is gearing up for the upcoming elections, with authorities leaving no stone unturned to ensure a smooth and secure voting process. As many as 33,000 personnel have been deployed to maintain law and order during the polls, which will take place on Monday. This includes both state and central forces, who will be stationed across five Lok Sabha and 35 Assembly constituencies in Odisha.
An estimated 70.69 lakh voters, comprising 40.33 lakh men, 39.35 lakh women and 851 transgender persons, are eligible to cast their votes at 9,162 polling stations. These stations are spread out across the Aska, Kandhamal, Bargarh, Bolangir and Sundargarh Lok Sabha constituencies, as well as the 35 Assembly seats falling under them. It's truly a momentous occasion for the citizens of Odisha, who hold the power to choose their representatives in the government.
A total of 40 candidates are vying for the five Lok Sabha seats, while a whopping 265 contenders, including the incumbent Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik, are trying their luck in the 35 Assembly segments. Interestingly, Patnaik himself is contesting from two constituencies - Hinjili under Aska Lok Sabha seat in Ganjam district and Kantabanji under Bolangir parliamentary constituency. This requires him to cover a distance of around 400 km, which speaks volumes about his determination and dedication towards his political career.
Apart from Patnaik, other prominent candidates who will be closely watched on Monday include several Odisha ministers, BJP's sitting MPs Jual Oram and Sangeeta Singh Deo, BJD MP Achyut Samant, and former Indian Hockey captain Dilip Tirkey. The stakes are high for all of them, especially with big names like Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Union Home Minister Amit Shah, and Defence Minister Rajnath Singh throwing their weight behind the BJP candidates. Not to be outdone, Congress leaders like president Mallikarjun Kharge and Rahul Gandhi have also been actively campaigning for their party's nominees.
Meanwhile, BJD president Naveen Patnaik and his trusted aide Kartik Pandian have been tirelessly touring the five Lok Sabha and 35 Assembly constituencies, trying to woo the voters with their promises and agendas. However, the situation in Aska remains tense after the death of a BJP worker in a clash with BJD supporters. To ensure that such incidents do not occur during the elections, the State Chief Electoral Officer Nikunja Bihari Dhal has assured the public of tight security arrangements in the area. In fact, 22 companies of central forces have already been deployed in Aska.
"Our main goal is to conduct free and fair elections in the state," Dhal stated, highlighting the commitment of the electoral authorities towards their duty. He also mentioned that all necessary arrangements have been made for the polling personnel, including the delivery of Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) and other materials. The voting process will commence at 7 am and continue till 6 pm, except for the Maoist-affected areas where it will be shortened.
Out of the 9,162 polling stations, 1,541 have been identified as model polling stations, while 1,041 will be managed entirely by women personnel. Additionally, 25 polling stations will be operated by officials with disabilities, in order to ensure inclusivity and accessibility for all. Dhal also pointed out that about 20% of the polling stations have been deemed critical, especially those in Maoist-hit regions. In anticipation of the harsh weather conditions, arrangements have been made to provide adequate drinking water, ORS, and essential medicines at every polling station. Furthermore, paramedical staff, ASHA workers, ambulances, and mobile health units will also be deployed, with an air ambulance on standby in Bolangir for emergencies. An Indian Air Force helicopter will also be at the ready for any security-related emergencies.
As the countdown to the second phase of elections in Odisha begins, the state is abuzz with anticipation and excitement. The last Lok Sabha elections in 2019 saw a turnout of 77.87% in Bargarh, the highest among the five constituencies, followed by Sundargarh, Bolangir, Kandhamal, and Aska. With such high participation expected once again, it's clear that the people of Odisha are determined to exercise their right to vote and make their voices heard. May the best candidates win!
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