BJP accuses BJD of vote rigging in Orissa

Alleging largescale use of money and muscle power by ruling BJD to rig the just concluded polls in Orissa, BJP today demanded a thorough probe into the matter and appropriate action by Election Commission (EC).      

"Criminal elements from outside 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," BJP leader Bijoy Mohapatra, Dharmendra Pradhan and B B Harichandan alleged at a press conference here.      

Mohapatra said he and Pradhan 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.      

"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. 

Alleging that proper security was absent in strong rooms, Mohapatra, who contested from Patkura assembly segment in Kendrapara, demanded immediate steps to take away about 6,000 extra EVMs from the state to prevent possible misuse.      

He said there were attempts to vitiate the atmosphere during polling in Patkura and elsewhere in the state by sending outside criminals with the help of BJD leaders.      

The BJP leaders were, however, claimed that high turn-out of voters in the elections indicated people voted for change of government.