MALKANGIRI: The steep decline in the poll percentage in Malkangiri district, compared to 2004 general elections, has become a cause of concern for all parties and the Election Commission.
During 2004 general elections, the district recorded 70 percent turnout in spite of severe heat.
However, this time, the poll percentage was less than 40 on an average.
Heavy deployment of police and para military forces notwithstanding, the CPI (Maoist) threat had an adverse impact on the voters of Chitrakonda and Malkangiri Assembly segments here.
Ten persons of every 100 voters, who had reportedly exercised their franchise in the last elections, stayed away from polling in both the segments this time.
As many as 20 booths in both the Assembly segments were captured by the Maoists this time.
As compared to 2004 election, more para-military personnel were deployed to contain the Maoist menace but more violence was reported this time against the capturing of only two booths in 2004 election.
