BHUBANESWAR: Office of Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) here said that as many as 22 per cent voters have exercised their franchisee till 11 AM in the first phase polls being conducted in the state.
While there have been 25 per cent voter turnout in Berhampur Lok Sabha constutuency till 11 AM, it has been 21 per cent in Nabarangpur, 23 per cent in Kalahandi and 23 per cent in Koraput.
Voting, so far, has been by and large peaceful and progressing smoothly in the state.
While there have been few complaints pertaining to facilitation of drinking water and shading at polling booths, there has been no major untoward incident.
Among the top names to have votes so far are: Congress leader Tara Prasad Bahinipati, former union minister Bhakta Das, Kalahandi Lok Sabha candidate Puspendra Singh Deo, BJD’s Berhampur Lok Sabha candidate Chandrasekhar Sahu, Berhampur Assembly candidate Bikram Panda and BJP’s Gunupur Assembly candidate Sisir Gamang.
Four Lok Sabha and 28 Assembly seats under them are going for polls in the first phase of general elections today.
The votes will be counted on 23 May and result will be announced the same day.