Bhubaneswar: The opposition Biju Janata Dal (BJD) on Tuesday sought the immediate intervention of the Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) of Odisha, accusing the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) of violating the Model Code of Conduct even on the day of voting. The BJD alleged that BJP workers entered polling booths in Nuapada and exerted undue pressure on voters to cast their votes in favor of party candidate Jai Dholakia.
It was also alleged that near various polling stations, BJP members were distributing food packets to voters in an attempt to influence them.
Nuapada District BJD President Abani Joshi submitted a memorandum to the District Election Officer (DEO) and the Collector of Nuapada, demanding immediate action.
“I bring to your urgent notice a blatant and systematic violation of the Model Code of Conduct (MCC) and electoral laws by workers of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on the day of polling in the Nuapada Assembly Constituency. BJP workers have set up temporary tiffin distribution counters and are distributing free tiffins to voters queuing up to cast their votes,” Joshi stated in the memorandum submitted to the DEO.
Joshi demanded prompt and strict action from the DEO in this serious and sensitive matter.
Meanwhile, at a press conference, BJD spokesperson and media coordinator Lenin Mohanty alleged that during the ongoing voting process, BJP leaders and workers were completely disregarding all rules and restrictions.
He further stated that they were forcefully remaining inside polling stations, intimidating voters, and pressuring them to vote for Jai Dholakia. Such incidents were reported from booth numbers 3, 4, 5, 13, 14, and 15 under Khariar Road NAC of the Nuapada Assembly constituency.
Mohanty accused the government officials present of failing to take any action despite witnessing these violations, claiming that they appeared to be acting in favor of the BJP candidate.
Notably, voting for the Nuapada Assembly constituency is currently underway at 358 polling booths, including 47 sensitive booths and eight highly sensitive booths in the district, amid tight security.
According to the Odisha Chief Electoral Officer (CEO), the Nuapada Assembly recorded an impressive voter turnout of 65.20% by 3 pm, up from 51.42% at 1 pm, 32.51% at 11 am, and 14.99% at 9 am. Around 2.53 lakh voters in the constituency are expected to cast their votes to decide the fate of 14 candidates in the fray.
