Polls for 10 LS, 70 Assembly seats notified

Expressbuzz, March 24, 2009

BHUBANESWAR: Setting the poll process in motion in Orissa, elections for 10 Parliamentary constituencies and 70 Assembly segments were notified here on Monday.

The Lok Sabha (LS) seats which go to polls in the first phase on April 16 are: Bargarh, Sundargarh (ST), Sambalpur, Balangir, Kalahandi, Nabarangpur (ST), Kandhamal, Aska, Berhampur and Koraput (ST). Seven LS seats are for general category while the rest are reserved for STs.

With the notification by Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) office, nominations commenced today and would go on till March 30. Scrutiny of nomination papers is scheduled to be held on March 31 while April 2 is the last date for withdrawal of the candidature.

The Assembly segments covered under the first phase election are Padamapur, Bijeur, Bargarh, Atabira (SC), Bhatli, Brajarajnagar, Jharsuguda, Talasara (ST), Sundargarh (ST), Birmitrapur (ST), Raghunathpalli (SC), Rourkela, Rajgangpur (ST), Bonai (ST), Kuchinda (ST), Rengali (SC), Sambalpur, Rairakhole, Deogarh, Chhendipada (SC), Athamallik, Biramaharajpur (SC), Sonepur, Louisinga (SC), Patnagarh, Balangir, Titlagarh, Kantabanjhi, Nuapada, Khariar, Umerkote (ST), Jharigaon (ST), Nabarangpur (ST), Dabugaon (ST), Lanjigarh (ST), Junagarh, Dharmagarh, Bhawanipatna (SC), Narla, Baliguda (ST), G Udaygiri (ST), Phulbani (ST), Kantamal, Boud, Daspalla (SC), Bhanjanagar, Polsara, Kabisuryanagar, Khallikote (SC), Chhatrapur (SC), Aska, Sorada, Sanakhemundi, Hinjli, Gopalpur, Berhampur, Digapahandi, Chikiti, Mohana, Parlakhemundi, Gunupur (ST), Bissamcuttack (ST), Rayagada (ST), Laxmipur (ST), Kotpad (ST), Jeypore, Koraput (SC), Potangi (ST), Malkangiri (ST) and Chitrakonda (ST).

Voting hours modified

Keeping in view the Naxal threat in the constituencies that go to polls in the first phase, the Election Commission has cut short the voting hours in 19 Assembly segments.

As per modified timings, voting would start at 7 am and continue till 3 pm in all the 14 segments under Nabarangpur and Koraput Lok Sabha seats.

Similarly, Mohana and Parlakhemundi Assembly segments under Berhampur seat and Baliguda, G Udaygiri and Phulbani under Kandhamal LS constituency would vote during the 7 am - 3 pm.

For the rest of the seats under Phase I, voting will be between 7 am and 4 pm.