SAMBALPUR: In the first phase, polls were held in Naktideul, Jamankira, Maneswar and Jujumura blocks in Sambalpur district, Barkote block in Deogarh district, Khaprakhol and Turekela in Balangir district and Nuapada, Komna and Sinapali blocks of Nuapada district on Saturday.
According to unconfirmed reports BJD is ahead in most of these areas. While the party is ahead in Barkote zones I, II and III in Deogarh, Khaprakhol zone III, Naktideul zone I, Nuapada zone IX, Nuapada zone II, it is neck and neck between the BJD and BJP in Turekela block and the BJP is ahead in Khaprakhol zone IV and Nuapada zone XII in Sinapali block.
However, in Jujumura zone II, Jamankira zone II of Sambalpur district the Congress is ahead. It is a close fight between the Independent and BJP in Maneswar zone III of Sambalpur.
BALASORE: At the end of the first phase polling, the ruling party reportedly romped home in the three northern districts of Balasore, Bhadrak and Mayurbhanj. The BJP and Congress bit the dust.
If sources are to be believed, the BJD has bagged 14 ZP zones in Balasore district of the 15 that went to polls on Saturday. In Mayurbhanj the BJD captured six of the 12 zones and in Bhadrak it came out victorious in six zones out of seven.
Though the results have not been announced officially, reliable sources said it is the BJD everywhere. The Congress, however, won one seat each in Balasore and Mayurbhanj. The BJP managed to get one in Bhadrak. Surprisingly the Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM) bagged four zones in Mayurbhanj district and independent won in one zone.
Elections were held for 15 ZP zones and 89 GPs under three blocks in Balasore followed by 12 ZP zones and 88 GPs under four blocks in Mayurbhanj and seven ZP zones and 49 GPs under two blocks in Bhadrak district.
Sources said barring a few stray incidents election was peaceful in Balasore and Mayurbhanj districts. Sources said voting was suspended at Sulpat booth for nearly two hours as voters alleged that polling officials hid one of the three symbols in ballot paper by folding one portion. DRDA Project Director AK Manik pacified the voters.