BJD questions logic behind four-phase elections in Odisha

Sambad English Bureau Published On : Mar 11, 2019 at 5:44 PM Updated On : Mar 11, 2019 at 5:47 PM

Bhubaneswar: Targeting Chief Electoral Officer (CEO), Odisha’s ruling BJD criticised the decision to conduct polls in four phases in the State.

Opposing the move by the Election Commission, BJD’s spokesperson Amar Patnaik alleged that the CEO is influenced by the BJP.

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“While the polls will be held in one phase in the States like Andhra Pradesh and Gujarat having more number of seats, the EC has decided to conduct polls in several phases in the States where BJP is weak,” he said.

Earlier, the polls were being conducted in two phases in Odisha because of Maoist threat, he said asking, “Why the Lok Sabha and Assembly polls will be held in four phases in the State?”

He alleged that the State CEO of not following free and fair election policy.

“By influencing the EC, the BJP is trying to occupy the non-BJP States,” Patnaik said.

Not only Odisha, but also other non-BJP States are the victim of Centre’s conspiracy, he alleged.

Worth mentioning, the polls will be conducted in four phases in Odisha, Maharashtra and Madhya Pradesh. West Bengal will go to polls in five phases.