Odisha elections: 125 CAPF companies to be deployed for final phase voting

Bhubaneswar, May 30: In preparation for the fourth and final phase of Lok Sabha and Assembly elections in Odisha on June 1, Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) Nikunj Bihari Dhal announced the deployment of 125 companies of Central Armed Police Force (CAPF) to ensure the smooth and peaceful conduct of voting.

Speaking at a press briefing in Bhubaneswar, Dhal outlined the arrangements made for the upcoming polls. The highest number of 22 CAPF companies will be stationed in Balasore district, followed by 20 in Jajpur.

A total of over 99.61 lakh voters are eligible to cast their votes in this phase, with approximately 50.88 lakh being male, 48.72 lakh female, and 6087 identified as third-gender voters.

The electoral exercise will cover six parliamentary constituencies – Balasore, Bhadrak, Jajpur, Kendrapada, Mayurbhanj, and Jagatsinghpur – along with 42 Assembly segments within these parliamentary seats.

To facilitate voting, elaborate arrangements have been made across 10,882 polling centers in the state, with 14 booths entirely managed by women. Over 70,000 polling staff will be engaged in election duties for this phase.

A total of 460 candidates are contesting in the fourth round of elections, with 394 vying for Assembly seats and 66 for the six Lok Sabha constituencies.