The Collector of Bhadrak, Trilochan Majhi, has ordered a probe into the allegations of poll rigging by a woman at the Badagallo polling booth under Fatehpur Panchayat in Bhadrak’s Tihidi Block during the third phase voting for the Panchayat elections on Sunday.
The woman has been identified as Ritanjali Patra, a Zilla Parishad Candidate from Zone-8.
Speaking to OTV, Majhi said, “An enquiry has already been ordered and strict action will be taken following submission of probe report by the presiding officer and the BDO.”
Unrest prevailed in Bhadrak on Sunday after Patra allegedly cast multiple votes on a particular symbol after forcibly entering booth no- 4 in Badagallo school under Tihidi Block of Bhadrak district.
Patra could be seen in a video snatching the ballot papers from several voters and casting all the votes by herself to ensure victory for her father-in-law Surendra Nayak who is contesting for Sarpanch post.
Though the presiding officer opposed the woman’s action, she did not pay any heed to the poll official and threatened him instead. In the video, which has gone viral on social media, the presiding officer was also seen pleading before police officials engaged in duty outside the booth to come to his aid.
However, Jajpur ASP Jatin Panda sought to dismiss reports of booth capturing and claimed that polling was held in a smooth and fair manner in Tihidi Block of the district.