Bijoy Mohapatra demands probe into ‘entire polling process’ in Mahakalpada

Odisha Sun Times Bureau

Kendrapara, Apr 18:

Senior leader and BJP candidate in Mahakalpada Assembly constituency in Odisha’s Kendrapara district today demanded a probe into the entire poll process in his constituency and said he had drawn the attention of the Election Commission to massive bungling during polling on Thursday.

Talking to newsmen here this morning, the BJP leader accused the adminsitration and police in his constituency of acting as “agents of the ruling Biju Janata Dal” and  alleged that people there were subjected to threats and intimidation by local officials

Asked if he was demanding repolling in Mahakalpada, Mohapatra said he was simply asking for a proper inquiry into the poll process in the constituency starting from complaints over deployment of polling and police officials to transportation of EVM machines from the booths to the strongroom.

” I want a thorough probe into all aspects of the poll process in Mahakalpada”, he said adding, if the probe finds serious lapses and foul play, there should be immediate followup action.

Meanwhile, reports said the district administration has been advised  by the CEO’s office to videograph all the sealed EVMs both used and unused in Mahakalpada – along with their serial numbers- in the presence of the party candidates or their representatives. The serial numbers of the sealed and unused EVMs will  to be matched with the list that has the serial numbers of all EVMs that were sent for use in the constituency, sources said.