Symbolic photo
The sixth phase of Lok Sabha elections was held on 25 May. During this time, there was chaos in Odisha. During the voting, a sitting MLA and BJP candidate entered a polling booth and broke the electronic voting machine (EVM) and attacked a polling officer. Giving information about the incident, officials said that more than 60.97 percent voting has taken place in six Lok Sabha seats and 42 assembly constituencies in the state. Officials said that two persons – a woman polling officer and a polling agent – died during voting at various polling stations in Barabaati-Cuttack and Hindol assembly constituencies.
Heated debate at polling station
BJP’s Khurda assembly constituency candidate Prasanta Jagdev was detained for allegedly breaking into a polling booth along with his supporters and breaking EVMs and assaulting a polling official. Officials said the incident occurred following a heated argument at a polling booth in Begunia assembly constituency where the BJP leader had gone to cast his vote. Jagdev, who joined the BJP after being expelled from the Biju Janata Dal (BJD), later staged a sit-in at the police station against his detention by the police.
Elections were held on 6 Lok Sabha seats
The ruling BJD also lodged a complaint against the BJP candidate with Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) NB Dhal. “We have a zero-tolerance policy towards violence. Appropriate action will be taken based on CCTV footage,” Dhal said. About 60.97 per cent of the over 94.48 lakh voters in the state exercised their franchise and the figure may rise, officials said. 64 candidates were in the fray for the six Lok Sabha seats, while the number of candidates for 42 assembly constituencies was 383. (Language)
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