Pipili (SunstarTV Bureau): The bypoll in Pipili assembly constituency begins today at 7 am in Puri district. However, polling reportedly got disrupted at booths number 139-A and 177, also at booth number 203 of Dakhina Sahi in Nuasasan village due to technical glitches. According to reports, voting had started at booth number 203 after the malfunction in the EVM was fixed by the concerned authorities.
The polling process started at as many as 348 booths across the constituency from 7 am, and it will continue till 6 pm today.
Meanwhile, people were seen standing in queues and waiting for their turns to cast votes. Wearing mask, maintaining social distancing and use of sanitiser have been made compulsory for the voters and the polling officials. Adherence to other Covid-19 appropriate behaviours is also being ensured in all the booths.
Apart from Voter ID card, people can show 11 other types of ID proofs to cast their vote at the polling centres. All voters will undergo thermal screening and be provided with hand gloves at the centres. Those with high body temperature will get token to cast their vote during the last one hour.
The polling day has been declared as a public holiday in the Pipili area. All the government and private employees who are voters have been granted paid holiday.
The by-election to the Pipili assembly constituency was necessitated following the death of sitting MLA Pradeep Maharathy in October, last year. Votes will be counted on October 3.
