Odisha Assembly elections 2024: Polls to be held in 4 phases; 3.32 crore voters will exercise franchise

Six Lok Sabha seats each and 42 assembly seats falling under the areas will vote in the sixth and seventh phases on May 25 and June 1. The parliamentary segments from Odisha which will vote on sixth phase include Sambalpur, Keonjhar, Dhenkanal, Cuttack, Puri and Bhubaneswar, mostly western, central and coastal regions, while Lok Sabha constituencies in northern and coastal pockets like Mayurbhanj, Balasore, Bhadrak, Jajpur, Kendrapara and Jagatsinghpur will vote in the seventh phase. Counting of votes will be held on June 4.

A total of 3.32 crore electors, including 1.68 crore male, 1.64 crore female and 3,380 third genders, will exercise their franchise in the state during the polls in Odisha. The state has 9,060 voters aged above 100 years, while 7.54 lakh new voters will cast their votes for the first time.

Of the 37,809 polling stations, including 33,469 in rural areas, the ECI has planned for webcasting in 22,685 booths. As many as 300 booths will be managed by persons with disabilities while 4,000 booths will be managed by women, said official sources in the chief electoral officer’s office.

In 2019, the state’s voter turnout was estimated at 73.29% when elections were held in four phases as well. As there were 59 assembly constituencies where the voter turnout rate was below the state average, officials said steps are being taken to increase the voting turnout rates in these constituencies.

Elections in Odisha are expected to be a triangular fight with the ruling Biju Janata Dal (BJD) looking for a record sixth term. While the BJP, the principal opposition, has been trying to increase its tally, the Congress that has been out of power since 2000 will attempt a comeback.

Amid speculations of a possible alliance with the BJP, BJD president and chief minister Naveen Patnaik has already held meetings with observers of various districts to review the poll preparedness. The BJP’s state unit election committee meeting was held on Saturday to finalise tickets while Congress said it has already sent a list of probable candidates for approval of the high command.