Odisha polling figure pegged at 74 percent

The final voting percentage in Thursday's polling in Odisha has been pegged at 74 percent, up from 65.3 percent in 2009, an official said Friday.

The state's second and final phase of polling for 11 Lok Sabha and 77 assembly seats was held April 17.

"The voter turnout in the final phase in the state was 74 percent," state Chief Electoral Officer Mona Sharma told reporters here.

Mayurbhanj district recorded a maximum of 82 percent balloting while Khurda district came last with 56 percent, she said.

The office of the state's chief electoral officer had Thursday evening put the polling at 70 percent on the basis of preliminary reports.

About 75 percent polling was recorded in the first phase of polls April 10 for 10 Lok Sabha and 70 assembly seats.

In the 2009 election, 65.3 percent of the electorate exercised their franchise.