Voting cancelled in Ganjam GP as sarpanch candidate dies

Ganjam: Voting in Brahmanchhai gram panchayat (GP) under Sheragada block of the district was cancelled on Tuesday after a sarpanch candidate of the GP died last night in poll related violence.

The deceased has been identified as Bulu Pradhan. Locals said, Pradhan was also contesting in the ongoing panchayat election as a samiti member.

State Election Commission (SEC) secretary RN Sahu informed that polling in the gram panchayat has been cancelled and date of repolling in the region will be announced at a later stage.

Sources said, followers of Pradhan and his opponent party clashed late last night over poll related issues. Though exact reason behind the scuffle is not known, police said they are investigating the matter.

While two injured are undergoing treatment at Hinjili hospital, eight were admitted to the MKCG medical college and hospital in Berhampur.

In a similar poll related violence case, scuffle ensued between two groups in Simuliapatna village under Kangakhunta panchayat of Soro block in Balasore district this morning. Voting was halted for a brief period after voters alleged that the polling officials were folding the ballot papers in wrong way to favour a particular candidate. Voting continued after Additional District Magistrate (ADM) and police pacified the agitated villagers.

In Jajpur district, police resorted to mild lathi charge after two groups clashed in a polling booth in Pacchicoat GP. The villagers alleged that the polling officials were allowing the voters who were supporting a particular candidate. The situation is under control in the area, police said.