Puri: Counting of votes for the Pipili bypoll in Puri district began amid tight security and strict adherence to COVID-19 protocols.
The by-election was conducted on September 30. A total of 78.24 per cent of the 2.30 lakh voters exercised their franchise at 348 booths.
A three-tier security is being provided at the counting centre, according to State Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) SK Lohani.
Counting of Postal ballots will be done for the first 30 minutes while the counting session for the Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) is scheduled to start from 8.30 am.
The bypoll was necessitated as the seat fell vacant following the death of BJD MLA Pradeep Maharathy in October last year.
The bypoll was first scheduled to take place on April 17 but it was deferred after Congress candidate Ajit Mangaraj’s death due to COVID-19 on April 14.
It was then scheduled to be held on May 13 but was deferred due to a festival on that day and rescheduled on May 16. However, once again, it was postponed owing to the second wave of the pandemic.
A total of 10 candidates contested the by-election.
The BJD has nominated Rudrapratap Maharathy, the son of late Pradeep Maharathy for the bypoll. Ashrit Pattnayk is the BJP candidate.