Koraput: Villagers in Kotia Panchayat lined up in large numbers to cast their votes in the Panchayat Polls today. The Koraput District administration has made elaborate arrangements to conduct free and fare Panchayat polls in Kotia Panchayat. The polling began at 7 am amidst full proof security arrangements. Elections are being held for the Kotia Panchayat of Zone-I Zilla Parishad in Pottangi Block where about 5700 voters will cast their votes in 13 booths. The district administration ensured that the polling parties reached their destinations by yesterday evening and the district police has also stepped up security in the region in view of the threats of disruption by neighboring state.
Kotia has been the cause of tension between the Odisha and Andhra Pradesh states and there were instances of interference by officials from Andhra Pradesh in the villages belonging to Odisha.
Koraput Police has also taken steps to ensure incident free polls in the area and has put up checking points in the border areas. Some borders have also been sealed to avoid illegal entry into the area. Only persons belonging to Odisha are being allowed entry into the area and vehicle checking has been initiated. Security in the bordering villages of Tadivalasa, Madkar, Fagunaseneri, Phatuseneri and Neredivalasa has been heightened with additional deployment of forces at the Booth level.
On the political front, all the three major political parties of Odisha, the BJD, BJP, and Congress, have fielded a single unanimous candidate – Mamata Jani as the consensus candidate for the Zilla Parishad Zone member post. An independent candidate, Tikai Gemel is contesting against Mamata.