Bhubaneswar: The 4th phase of polling for the Panchayat elections in Odisha have ended peacefully with 73 percent voters exercising their franchise. The 4th phase elections were held in 27 districts for 163 Zilla Parishad zones and 1254 Panchayats spread over 64 blocks of Odisha. Polling was held in 17089 booths. With this, elections have been completed in 266 blocks of the 314 blocks of the state.
Briefing the media, State Election Commissioner Aditya Prasad Padhi has said that all the ballot boxes have been stored in secure strong rooms and 24 hour security along with CCTV and power backup has been provided to them. The strong rooms will not be opened before the counting time in any circumstances for which strict instructions have been issued. He also said that, all the polling agents and officials will be thoroughly checked before entering into the counting rooms and no mobile phones or other electronic gadgets will be allowed inside.