Malkangiri: Swabhiman Anchal, the once upon a time Maoist bastion in Malkangiri district also known as the cut-off region, went into polls today during the fifth phase polling of the three-tier panchayat elections in Odisha.
Elections are being held in 18 panchayats and two Zilla Parishad zones under the Chitrakonda block. A total of 41,582 electors in this block will be exercising their franchise in 222 booths. Out of the 222 booths, 81 are sensitive and 60 are very sensitive. As many as 54 booths have been relocated for fear of Maoists. Voters of these Maoist-infested areas are being ferried by boats to their respective booths for free by the district administration.
A total of 342 candidates are contesting the three-tier panchayat polls from the block which include 7 candidates for two Zilla Parishad zones, 59 sarpanch candidates, 41 Samiti Member candidates, and 198 uncontested candidates.
Since people of this Maoist-affected region will be casting their votes in the rural polls after nearly 10 years, heavy deployment of security forces which include SOG, DVF, and BSF has been made for the conduct of free and fair polls.
