Releasing the final figures of voting percentage registered during second phase of Assembly polls, State Chief Electoral Officer Subrat Sahoo on Wednesday said that the total polling registered was 76.34%.
This is compared to polling percentage in the year 2013 in second phase which was at 77.72% indicating 1.05 percent drop in voting this time round, he said.
“In year 2013, during the first phase of polls, the polling percentage was 75.93% and this year it was 76.39% while in second phase in year 2013 it was 77.72% but in year 2018 it is 76.34%,” Sahoo said while addressing a press conference here.
The highest percentage of polling has been recorded at Kurud with 88.99% followed by Kharisa assembly constituency registering 86.81% while the lowest has been recorded at Raipur (North) with 60.30% followed by Raipur (West) 60.45%, he said.
Sahoo said that in 24 Assembly constituencies out of 90, women recorded 28% higher polling while in 38 assembly constituencies 40% higher polling rate of more than 80% was recorded.
Bharatpur-Sonhat Assembly constituency recorded highest voting by women at 3.45% while it was 3.27% in Kunkuri rural area.”
Sahoo said that one company of security personnel each has been deployed in all strong rooms except in Raipur where two companies of forces have been deployed.
The machines have been kept in double lock sealed system. Whenever, the candidates or their representatives want to inspect the storage areas, the arrangement would be made for it. The whole area is under CCTV surveillance also. Visitors log books are also being maintained, he said.
Regarding the claims being made through social media on number of seats, the CEO said, “Personal level opinion is being given by the candidates and political parties and if exit poll is conducted, action would be taken.”
He pointed out that two youth had taken taken selfies inside the polling booth and FIR has been registered against them. There were several sons who brought their parents and other relatives while carrying them to booth. On Himanshu Mishra of Koriya district was in coma for last 50 days but as he became conscious and stable, he came to cast his vote, Sahoo said.