Bhubaneswar, Feb 21: Amidst tight security, the fifth and the last phase panchayat polls for 150 Zilla Parishads in 26 districts has begun.
While Angul, Jharsuguda, Boudh and Malkangiri are to be bared, polling for the rest 26 districts have started for the post of 16,148 ward members, 150 zilla parishads, and 1173 Gram panchayats.
Strong security arrangements have been made for free and fair elections. Expecting a possible threat from red rebels, combing operations have also been intensified in the Maoist infested districts like Koraput, Rayagada, Nuapada and Bolangir. Other than this CCTV surveillance along with adequate security personnel have been deployed near sensitive booths.
Nearly 44,00,000 voters will exercise their voting rights today. The counting for the votes will start at 1pm.
