The polling for the Baleswar Sadar Assembly by-election ended by and large peacefully barring a few minor incidents, including EVM malfunction.
The polling percentage was nearly 71% till the latest report. Following a scuffle between BJP and BJD supporters at Odangi, BJP supporters lodged a complaint with the Haldipada police that at the behest of BJD workers, some people were trying to cast votes in a booth without documents. In another case, a woman was nabbed by locals of Badakhua, where it was alleged by the BJP that she had come to distribute money. However, no money was found in her possession and she had come to her relatives’ house.Reportedly, 126 voters of Junglegheri hamlet under Parakhi GP boycotted polling in protest of not having basic facilities in their locality.
As was expected, there would be a close contest between the BJP and the BJD while the results would be known on November 10.aThe voters had new experiences during this polling as they had to undergo thermal screening, sanitising and wearing masks and hand gloves.