Phulbani (Odisha): An estimated 25 per cent of the electorate cast their votes in the first four hours of polling for by-election to Odisha's communally sensitive Kandhamal Lok Sabha constituency today. Polling, which commenced at 7 AM on a dull note in several places, picked up gradually in the Maoist-hit constituency where an estimated 11.4 lakh voters are eligible to exercise their franchise.

"Polling is in progress smoothly and no untoward incident has been reported from any place," district election officer (DEO), Kandhamal, S Kar said. "Around 25 per cent of the voters have exercised their franchise in the first four hours of polling," he said.