Sarpanch candidate among 2 arrested for booth capturing during Panchayat Polls in Odisha’s Jajpur

Jajpur: Two persons, including a Sarpanch candidate, have been arrested by Jajpur police for their alleged involvement in booth capturing in Rudrapur area under Jajpur block on the first day of the three-tier Panchayat Polls yesterday.

The two arrested are Sarpanch candidate Karunakar Acharya and Maninatha Sahoo.

A video that has captured the incident has gone viral on social media. In the video, the two along with few others were seen  forcibly inserting ballot papers into the ballot boxes in presence of poll officials at Booth-5 in Rudrapur Panchayat yesterday. Karunakar’s three children, including two sons were also found involved in the electoral offence.

Also Read: Miscreants loot ballot box from booth during panchayat polls in Odisha’s Puri    

With this, total 14 persons have been arrested in the district for booth capturing, tampering, attack on police personnel and vandalization of their vehicles in 10 booths of Jajpur and Dharmasala blocks. The arrests were made following raids at various places since last night, said SP Rahul PR.

As many as 12 persons were arrested on charges of booth capturing in Dharamsala block the district. They will be produced before court, said police sources.

Amid sporadic incidents of violence, Jajpur district recorded 74.5 per cent of voter turnout in the first phase of the Panchayat elections that concluded yesterday.

The Panchayat elections will be held in five phases on February 16, 18, 20, 22 and 24 with strict adherence to COVID-19 protocols. Counting of votes and declaration of results will be done at block level on February 26, 27 and 28.

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