The Congress and the BJP on Friday accused the ruling BJD of indulging in booth capturing and EVM tampering with the help of Government machinery to ensure its victory in several constituencies, during the second phase polls in Odisha.
As leaders belonging to the Opposition political parties alleged EVM tampering in several constituencies, Leader of the BJP Legislature Party Jaynarayan Mishra demanded that all the strong rooms where the EVMs have been stored should be fitted with close circuit cameras for round-the-clock surveillance.
In a letter to Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) Mona Sharma, Mishra said that the alleged dereliction of duty by a large number of poll officials in Kendrapara district should be investigated.
Referring to the issue of non-bailable warrants by the Kendrapara Collector against 109 poll personnel who skipped poll duty, Mishra said these officials were assigned polling duty in different places, including Mahakalpada. “We apprehend that there was mala fide intention behind these officials not reporting for duty,” he said.
Referring to the incident at Marshaghai, Mishra alleged that many EVMs were kept at the residence of Marshaghai block development Officer (BDO) and this has given rise to suspicion that these may have been tampered with.
Congress candidate from Ekamra Assembly constituency Sibananda Ray alleged that the ruling party indulged in booth capturing and EVM tampering at various places in the second phase elections. This has been done with the assistance of polling officials and the Government machinery, he said.
Alleging that the BJD captured at least 30 booths in Ghasipura constituency in Keonjhar district from where Minister of State for Higher Education Badrinarayan Patro is in the fray, Ray demanded a re-polling at these places and a free and fair inquiry into the matter.
Ray also alleged that there were allegations of EVM tampering in Bhubaneswar, Mahakalpada and other places. He criticised the EC for not giving details of polling in booths to the candidates till now.