BJD Resorted to Vote Rigging in Orissa, Says BJP
Accusing BJD of vote rigging in Orissa using money and muscle power on large scale, BJP has demanded a thorough enquiry into the matter and appropriate action by Election Commission (EC).
At a press conference, BJP leader Bijoy Mohapatra, Dharmendra Pradhan and B B Harichandan alleged that criminal elements from outside the state were openly engaged in a bid to rig the elections, while money was used in huge amount by BJD to influence the voters across the state.
“The commission shold hold a thorough investigation into the matter and take appropriate action,” they said, adding effective measures must be taken for proper security at strong rooms were Electronic Voting Machines (EVM) were being kept till counting of votes.
Yesterday, Mohapatra and Pradhan, as Mohapatra told media persons, met state Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) Alka Panda yesterday and drew her attention to the matter, while a formal complaint about attempted rigging and booth capturing would be lodged with the EC.
Stressing that there was no proper security in strong rooms, Mohapatra, who was in fray from Patkura assembly segment in Kendrapara, he demanded immediate steps to take away about 6,000 extra EVMs from the state to avert possible misuse.
Mohapatra said during polling in Patkura and elsewhere in the state, there were attempts to vitiate the atmosphere by sending outside criminals with the help of BJD leaders.
