Odisha Assembly elections Live Updates: Voting to elect 35 MLAs out of the 147-member Odisha Legislative Assembly began today morning and concluded at 5 pm. Voting on five Lok Sabha seats was also held in the state today.
Voting was held in Aska, Bargarh, Bolangir, Kandhamal and Sundargarh Lok Sabha seats and 35 Assembly constituencies falling under these parliamentary seats. Campaigning for this phase ended on Saturday. Overall, 40 candidates are contesting for the five Lok Sabha seats, while 265 candidates are in the fray for 35 Assembly constituencies.
Key candidates include Biju Janata Dal (BJD) president and Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik, Bikram Arukha, Niranjan Pujari, PK Amat, Tukuni Sahu, Rita Sahu, and SP Nayak. Other prominent figures include ex-union minister and Sundergarh’s sitting MP Jual Oram, former Indian hockey captain Dilip Tirkey, former union minister and hotelier Dilip Ray, and BJP’s four-time Lok Sabha MP Sangeeta Singh Deo.
Odisha Assembly elections Live Updates: Voting underway on 35 Assembly seats. Following Financial Express for all the latest election-related updates.
In Cuttack, PM Modi said, "Women have come here in such large numbers. First-time voters seem full of enthusiasm. Your enthusiasm and zeal show that after 25 years, Odisha is going to create a new history. On 10th June, BJP's first CM in Odisha will take oath, it is certain. With your blessings, Modi government will take oath for the third time in Delhi..."
While addressing a public rally in Odisha's Cuttack, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said, "Media have started saying that there will be a hung assembly, that's not true, BJP will form the govt in Odisha...If something that BJD has given to Odisha, it has given Land mafia, Sand mafia, Coal mafia and Mining mafia..."
#watch | At his Cuttack's public rally in Odisha, PM Narendra Modi says, "Media have started saying that there will be a hung assembly, that's not true, BJP will form the govt in Odisha...If something that BJD has given to Odisha, it has given Land mafia, Sand mafia, Coal mafia… pic.twitter.com/lu9OEJBW9d
— ANI (@ANI) May 20, 2024
The voter turnout was recorded at 21.07 per cent till 11 am in 35 Assembly seats in Odisha, according to the Election Commission data.
Addressing a rally in Odisha's Dhenkanal, PM Modi said, "Odisha will get double-engine government for first time."
He added, "Mai Gujarat se aaya hun, mai Somnath ki dharti se aaya hun, mai Jagannath ki dharti ko pranam karne aaya hun' (I have come from Gujarat, I have come from the land of Somnath, I have come to salute the land of Jagannath)."
Talking about the second phase of Assembly elections in Odisha on 35 seats, 5T Chairman and BJD leader VK Pandian displayed confidence in winning and said, "...People have faith in BJD and the party will sweep the second phase of elections."
After casting his vote, Hockey India president and Biju Janata Dal (BJD) candidate from Sundargarh Lok Sabha seat, Dilip Tirkey said, "I appeal to the people of Sundergarh to come out and cast their vote. It is a festival of democracy and they should participate in it... Seeing the enthusiasm among the people, I can say that the voting percentage will increase here..."
Prime Minister Narendra Modi is taking part in a roadshow in Odisha's Puri. He is accompanied by BJP candidate from the Puri Lok Sabha seat Sambit Patra.
https://x.com/ANI/status/1792386623554122092
As the voting for the fifth phase of Lok Sabha elections began, Prime Minister Narendra Modi appealed to the voters to exercise their franchise in record numbers.
He took to X (formerly Twitter) and said, "In the fifth phase of the Lok Sabha elections, voting will be held today for 49 seats in 8 states and union territories. I request all the voters of this phase to cast their votes and create a new record of voting. I especially appeal to women and young voters to participate enthusiastically in this festival of democracy."
A total of 79.69 lakh eligible voters, comprising 39.35 lakh women and 851 transgender individuals, are poised to exercise their voting rights across 9,162 polling stations today.
"Approximately 20 per cent of the polling stations, including those situated in Maoist-affected areas, have been identified as critical. This categorization underscored the need for heightened security measures and vigilance during the electoral process," State Chief Electoral Officer Nikunja Bihari Dhal said.
Key candidates in the fray include Biju Janata Dal (BJD) president and Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik, Bikram Arukha, Niranjan Pujari, PK Amat, Tukuni Sahu, Rita Sahu, and SP Nayak. Other prominent figures include ex-union minister and Sundergarh’s sitting MP Jual Oram, former Indian hockey captain Dilip Tirkey, former union minister and hotelier Dilip Ray, and BJP’s four-time Lok Sabha MP Sangeeta Singh Deo.
Voting on 35 Assembly seats in Odisha began on Monday morning alongside polling for 5 Lok Sabha seats.
Approximately 20 per cent of the polling stations, including those situated in Maoist-affected areas, have been identified as critical. Elaborate security arrangements have been made.