Bhubaneswar, Feb 13 (PTI) About 69 per cent voters exercised their franchise in the second phase of panchayat polls in Odisha today which was by and large peaceful. peaceful barring stray incidents of violence and snatching of ballot boxes. "An estimated 69 per cent of the 56.54 lakh electorate voted in the second phase of panchayat elections held in 83 blocks spread over 30 districts," state Election Commissioner Ajit Tripathy told reporters here. Sonepur district registered the maximum turnout of 83 per cent, while Cuttack district recorded the minimum 60 per cent polling. The second phase of polling was held for 197 zilla parishads and 1,475 gram panchayats. The elections for the remaining three phases are slated to be held on February 15, 17 and 19. The first phase was held on February 11. Polling passed off by and large peacefully barring stray violence as at least eight persons including six policemen were attacked by a mob and injured hours before voting began in Kendrapara district, police said. However, polling passed off peacefully during the day with no reports of booth capturing, poll rigging and loot of ballot boxes. In Jajpur district, polling in Rasulpur and Korei blocks was marked by attempted rigging, snatching of ballot box and ballot papers, the police said. MORE PTI AAM SKN KK KK
