Odisha local polls witness violence; 45 booths to re-poll

Bhubaneshwar: The Panchayati raj elections in Odisha witnessed violence and attempts of booth capture, and officials ordered repoll in several booths, The Indian Express reported.

Police informed that 76 people were arrested from the districts of Jajpur, Dhenkanal, Jagatsinhpur, Puri and Kendrapara so far as 11 people, including six women, were booked on Monday for alleged assault on journalists.

Journalists said they were heading to cover rigging attempts in two booths at Binjharpur block of Jajpur district. A police officer was attacked with a baton while trying to pacify a fight next to a poll booth in Gokhani village in Kendrapara.

The State Election Commission (SEC) ordered re-polling in 45 booths in Jajpur, Kendrapara, Puri, and Dhenkanal districts, where polling was disrupted.

Regarding the disruptions, State Election Commissioner Aditya Padhi said that r respective districts had been ordered to submit reports, and actions have been taken based on that.

The state police informed the seizure of more than 3.8 lakh litres of liquor and 2310.96 grams of narcotics drugs.

The state government had banned the sale and distribution of liquor 48 hours before voting.

Meanwhile, political parties condemned the reported incidences of violence. The Opposition Congress alleged that the incidents were sponsored by the ruling BJD and claimed it was intended to manipulate the poll process, an attack on democracy as well as civil society. BJP alleged that the attacks were pre-planned by BJD after the latter understood the growing support in the state for the former. BJD refuting the allegations, said that the police would take decisive action on the culprits.

The Panchayat elections are scheduled in five phases in the state.