A total of 40.55 lakh voters would exercise their franchise in the Urban Local Body (ULB) elections scheduled to be held on March 24, informed State Election Commissioner (SEC) Aditya Prasad Padhi on Monday.
Briefing mediapersons regarding preparations for the elections, he said that about 22,000 officials would be deployed on poll duty and they have been asked to reach their respective polling stations by the afternoon of March 23. The district administrations have made necessary arrangements for the same.
The SEC further informed that elaborate security arrangements have been made to ensure smooth conduct of the elections. Total 195 platoons of police force would be deployed. While 30 platoons of force would be deployed in Bhubaneswar Municipal Corporation (BMC), Cuttack and Berhampur Municipal Corporations would have 20 and 10 platoons, respectively. Besides, 300 mobile parties would be engaged.
While 569 candidates are in fray for the posts of Mayor and Chairperson, 5,842 are contesting for Corporator and Councilor posts.
Total 40,55,053 people would be allowed to cast their votes at total 4,373 booths from 8 am to 5 pm. Each polling booth would have two EVMs, he added.
The elections for 106 ULBs (47 Municipalities and 59 NACs) and three Municipal Corporations will be held in 1,672 Municipality and NAC Wards and in 165 Wards of three Municipal Corporations.
Counting of votes and declaration of results will take place on March 26.