Peaceful co-op elections in Odisha

Secretary P.R.Das of Odisha State Cooperative Election Commission says the first phase of cooperative society elections held Sunday was smooth and peaceful except some minor and stray incidents of disturbance and poll boycott.

According to Das, voters boycotted polls in one society each in Bhadrak and Tirtol over mistakes in ballot papers. Some disturbances were reported from Sahaspur block in Balasore and Dangbahal in Bargar.

In all, 3,624 primary cooperative societies went to the polls. Members to 1,231 societies of the cooperation department were elected unopposed and no voting was needed for 117 societies.

The second-round of elections will be held on January 25 for 3449 primary cooperative societies.