Bhubaneswar : The Elections to 3-Tier PRIs,2022 spread over 91093 Booths throughout the State was conducted peacefully in five phases with impressive voter turnout of 78.60% as against 78.03% in 2017, 75.30% in 2012 and 73% in 2007. Barring a very few incidents of Poll disruptions, entire Poll process starting from filling of Nominations, election campaign, polling and counting passed off peacefully due to elaborate and adequate security arrangements. This time, re-poll was necessitated in 114 Booths only as against 130 Booths in 2017, 309 Booths in 2012, 229 booths in 2007 and 453 booths in 2002 due to public disturbances or technical/administrative reasons, says Odisha Police in a press release .
Security arrangements ensured record voter turnout of 78.60% in the State in the elections and voters in Maoist affected areas including Swabhiman Anchal in Malkangiri district also turned out in large numbers defying poll boycott call by Maoists.
Elaborate security and CCTV arrangements were also made at all the Block Headquarters throughout the State this time for centralized smooth counting of votes. Police registered 5173 Excise cases, seized 41 illegal arms and 3 Kg.26 grams of narcotic drugs and executed 1941 warrants during election process.
Taking into consideration, deputation of 84 Platoons (28 Companies) of CRPF/BSF/OSAP/IRBn./SSBn. from the State for Assembly election duty in Uttar Pradesh and Punjab and visit of President of India to Puri on 19th& 20th February,2022. State police had a great challenge to make adequate security arrangements throughout the State including Maoist affected areas during the election, says the press release from Odisha Police .
