Bhubaneswar: Odisha Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) R. S Gopalan on Tuesday informed that a Presiding Officer has been suspended for violating the secrecy of voting during the by-election in Nuapada district.
The suspended officer, identified as Dhananjay Mallick, was in charge of Polling Station No. 36 at Government Upper Primary School (GUPS), Kuliabandha.
“For failing to maintain the secrecy of voting, the Presiding Officer of Booth No. 36, Kuliabandha GUPS, has been suspended. He is a school teacher. The first polling officer has been directed to take over his responsibilities, and a reserve officer is being deployed,” said CEO Gopalan while addressing the media.
Explaining the incident, Gopalan said that CCTV footage revealed two persons inside the polling compartment. An elderly woman, who required assistance, was accompanied by an attendant. However, instead of assisting her to cast her vote, the attendant reportedly voted on her behalf. The Presiding Officer failed to intervene or prevent the violation, thereby compromising the secrecy of voting. It was also found that the attendant cast votes twice.
“Due to the Presiding Officer’s failure to uphold voting secrecy, immediate suspension orders have been issued against him,” Gopalan added.
The CEO further stated that polling across all areas of the Nuapada constituency, including sensitive and Sakhi booths, is being continuously monitored from the State Headquarters to ensure a free, fair, and transparent election.
Voting has been reported to be smooth and peaceful so far, with a voter turnout of approximately 14.99% recorded by 9 am.
