Bhubaneswar: The State Election Commission (SEC), Odisha, said all arrangements are in place to hold the first phase of the three-tier panchayat elections in adherence to the COVID-19 safety norms Wednesday.
As elections to the panchayati raj institutions are being held under COVID-19 restrictions, voters must wear masks and maintain social distancing at the polling booths, SEC A P Padhi said.
Coronavirus patients will be allowed to cast their votes during the last hour of polling.
Over 67.51 lakh voters are eligible to exercise their franchise in 22,379 booths to elect 200 Zilla Parishad members, sarpanches, Panchayat Samiti members, and ward members, the top official said.
Of the 22,379 polling booths, 3,357 have been identified as sensitive where video recording arrangements have been made.
Voters will be able to exercise their franchise between 7 am and 1 pm.
As many as 225 platoons of security personnel, comprising 37,245 policemen, have been deployed for smooth conduct of the elections, Padhi said.
The panchayat elections in Odisha will be held in five phases on February 16, 18, 20, 22, and 24.
In view of the boycott call given by Maoists, special security arrangements have been made in Malkangiri, Koraput, Kalahandi, Balangir, Rayagada, and Kandhamal districts.
PTI
