About 1.55 crore electors in 13 districts in Odisha would determine the fate of 98 Lok Sabha and 747 Assembly contestants as the state goes to second and final phase of elections on Thursday. This region would call the shots on the BJD’s electoral fortunes as the ruling party holds its sway here.
Home to some of Odisha’s most politically sensitive seats, the election body is keeping a close watch on the coastal districts that have a history of controversies and poll disturbances. Special watch has been kept on Jajpur, Jagatsinghpur, Kendrapara and Puri districts. Apart from state police, paramilitary forces are on their toes to ensure that the poll process goes smoothly as the parliamentary constituencies and Assembly segments have some high profile fights on the cards.
Of the 18,692 polling stations where the second phase election would be held, as many as 2,270 have been tagged as sensitive. At least 185 companies of state security personnel, including 44 companies of state armed force, have been pressed into the 13 districts.