What started as a closely watched contest between BJP candidate Jay Dholakia, Congress' Ghasi Ram Majhi and BJD's Snehangini Chhuria, it turned out to be a clean sweep for the saffron party in Nuapada. Dholakia has won the election with 1,23,869 votes against Manjhi, Chhuria as they trail behind more than 80,000 votes.

With a record turnout of 83.45%, the by-election has drawn attention as counting moves through the early rounds.

According to District Election Officer-cum-Nuapada Collector Madhusudan Dash, postal ballots were taken up first, while counting of EVM votes began at 8:30 a.m. across 14 tables. A total of 26 rounds have been scheduled for the constituency.

The bypoll, held after the passing of sitting BJD MLA Rajendra Dholakia on September 8, recorded an impressive voter turnout—Of the 2,54,497 registered voters, 2,12,385 electors, including 1,03,817 male, 1,08,563 female and five transgender have exercised their franchise across 358 polling booths in the bypoll on November 11. This is the highest among the eight by-elections conducted nationwide on November 11.

Fourteen candidates are in the race, but the spotlight remains firmly on the BJP-BJD faceoff as counting progresses.