Odisha: In the third round of the Odisha panchayat polls, 78.6 percent of 56.53 lakh voters exercised their right to vote, according to an SEC official. On Sunday, sporadic violence was recorded during the third phase of the rural elections.

Subarnapur had the highest voter participation of 87.44 percent, followed by Nabarangpur (86.33 percent) and Koraput (86.33 percent) (84.78 per cent). At 66.75 percent, Ganjam had the lowest turnout.  According to the official, voter turnout in the first and second phases, which were held on February 16 and February 18, was 77.2 percent and 78.3 percent, respectively.

The SEC stated that preparations for the fourth round of the rural polls on February 22 are nearing completion. There are more than 51.31 lakh voters who are eligible to vote. For 163 Zilla Parishad zones in 163 blocks, voting will take place in 17,089 booths in 1,254 panchayats.

The polling in Dhenkanal and Angul districts would be finished with the fourth round of the election, according to SEC secretary R N Sahu. In the Maoist-affected Narayanpatna block of Koraput district, special arrangements have been established.

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