Bhubaneswar, Nov 11: Voting for the Nuapada Assembly by-election began early Tuesday morning with mock polls starting at 5:30 am across all 358 polling stations.

By 9:00 am, the voter turnout had reached approximately 14.99%, with the process continuing peacefully under tight security.

During the mock polling phase, technical glitches were reported in three Ballot Units (BU) and three Control Units (CU) of the Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs). These faulty units were immediately replaced to ensure smooth functioning. Additionally, an EVM malfunction at Booth No. 76 in Mangorapalli, Khariar Road, was swiftly resolved without disrupting the voting process.

Also read: Three-Way Battle in Nuapada Bypoll: Voting Begins with Tight Security

The Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) of Odisha, R.S. Gopalan, confirmed that voting across sensitive and general booths was proceeding peacefully. He emphasized that the election is being closely monitored to ensure a free, fair, and transparent process.

However, a breach of protocol was identified at Booth No. 36, located in Kuliabandh Upper Primary School. Based on CCTV footage, the presiding officer, Dhananjaya Mallick, was found violating election norms and was suspended immediately. The CEO stated that action was taken promptly to uphold the integrity of the electoral process.

The CEO’s office continues to oversee the proceedings to maintain law and order and ensure voter confidentiality. No incidents of violence or unrest have been reported so far, and the administration remains vigilant throughout the day.

The Nuapada bypoll is being seen as a crucial test of electoral preparedness and transparency, with authorities committed to maintaining democratic standards.