Congress agent arrested for damaging EVM in Kendrapara

Kendrapara (Odisha), April 17: An election agent of opposition Congress party was today arrested on charge of damaging EVM in booth- 193 of Mulasahi village under Aul assembly segment in Kendrapara district.

There were also complaints of technical snags in EVMs which delayed the voting process in around the particular polling stations. “An estimated 22 per cent polling has been reported in four hours after the polling commenced at 7 AA in five assembly constituencies spread across this coastal district. The administration has received around a dozen of complaints of rigging.

"The complaints are being looked into. Armed police reinforcements have been made in these areas”, said Kendrapara Collector Nitin Bhanudas Jawale.

Large number of young voters of 18-25 age-group were seen lined up to caste their franchise invariably in all the polling stations in this coastal district.

Meanwhile, a report from Chief Electoral Officer's office said that highest voter turn out of 19.23 per cent was recorded in Angul district by 10 am followed 17.5 per cent in Nayagarah district. Khurda district comprising the state capital of Bhubaneswar recorded lowest voter turn out by 10 am with only five per cent voting.

PTI