Polling began on Tuesday for the Nuapada Assembly by-election, with more than 2.53 lakh voters eligible to exercise their franchise across 358 polling booths.

The bypoll was necessitated following the demise of four-time MLA Rajendra Dholakia on September 8, 2025.

To ensure smooth and secure voting, authorities have deployed 14 companies of central forces, along with helicopter surveillance for remote and Maoist-affected areas.

The electoral contest is shaping up as a triangular battle among BJP’s Jay Dholakia, BJD’s Snehangini Chhuria, and Congress’s Ghasiram Majhi.

Polling will continue from 7 AM to 5 PM in most booths, while 47 sensitive booths will close an hour earlier, at 4 PM, as a precautionary measure. All polling stations have been equipped with EVMs, VVPATs, and webcasting f

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