Goof up in voter list: Farmers up in arms over Kendrapara cooperative election

Ahead of the much-awaited elections to the cooperative societies in Kendrapara on June 19 and 26, farmers of Batipada Primary Agriculture Cooperative Society in the district have levelled serious allegations of blunders in the voter list.

Several farmers of the region on Tuesday accused that while their names featured in the voter list in the last election, they have been intentionally deleted from the electoral roll this time around.

As per the allegations put up by the farmers, several names of non-farmers have been included in the electoral rolls of the farmers which have resulted in widespread resentment among the community.

Hundreds of aggrieved farmers have now filed complaints in this regard before the election officer in the cooperative office.

On the other hand, the secretary of local agriculture cooperative society has refuted allegations of irregularities in the voter list.

“Names of many registered farmers are missing in the voter list which is very shocking. Election should be held as per the law and all members of the farming community should get earn their due rights to exercise adult franchise, said Kailash Chandra Parida, a farmer.

Debanand Dash, the secretary of the agriculture society however said the allegations levelled by the farmers are all false and baseless. “Those who are exclusive members and are having their names in the voter list will only be allowed to cast their votes as per the guidelines of the government,” said Dash.