The Assembly by-election in Padampur on Monday witnessed a record 80.5 per cent of voting, informed Bargarh district Collector Monisha Banerjee.
The voting that began at 7 am continued even after 6 pm due to heavy rushes in the booths although it was to be closed at 4 pm. Over 12,000 people voted after 4 pm, Returning Officer-cum-Sub-Collector Trilochan Patra said.
Since this by-poll was an important one before the 2024 general elections, all the three major parties put their best efforts to win it.
The Presiding and Polling Officers returned from their booths and deposited the EVMs in the strong room specially designed in the RMC godown of Padampur. While three-tier security arrangements have been made around the strong room, agents of political parties have been allowed to put their camps till counting date on December 8 if they so desire.
All Independent candidates and those of the three major parties, BJD, BJP and Congress, voted in their respective booths along with their family members.
Allegations and counter-allegations of distribution of cash for votes by BJD and BJP were still going on.