Bhuvaneswar: Polling began for the fourth phase of the five-phase three-tier panchayat polls in 28 districts of Odisha this morning. The polling would continue till 12 in the noon. Counting of votes would begin after an hour.

A total of 50 lakh 61 thousand 9 hundred 74 people would exercise their franchise in the fourth phase of panchayat polls

for 1 thousand 324 panchayats; 18 thousand 8 hundred 76 Ward Members and 162 Zilla Parishad zones in 28 districts.

Director General of Police K. B. Singh said all possible steps are being taken to prevent any untoward incident during the polls. He said extra security measures have been taken in the Maoist affected districts. The panchayat polls are being held in five phases across the state. While elections for three phases have already completed, fourth phase election will be held today and fifth phase on Tuesday.