Mayurbhanj ZP bypolls: Counting of votes begins as BJP alleges booth rigging

Baripada: The counting of votes for the bypolls to Zilla Parishad zone-32 of Mayurbhanj district began today amid tight security.

According to information, the counting of votes underway at Bijatala block office will continue till 2 pm today and thereafter the results will be declared.

As many as 17,779 voters turned out to cast their votes at 82 booths of Bijatala, Mundatkhura, Banakati, Raihari and Luhashila panchayats. A total of 78 percent voter turnout was registered during the by-elections.

A total of 10 candidates are in fray for the zilla parishad seat, which fell vacant following the death of BJP candidate Chhotray Marandi.

Meanwhile, alleging massive booth rigging and capturing by BJD workers in 8 booths of Bijatala block, a delegation of Odisha BJP unit led by party vice president Samir Mohanty sought the State Election Commissioner’s intervention for re-elections in the affected booths.

“We have proof of booth rigging in 8 booths of the Zilla Parishad zone and we urge the SEC to stop the counting of votes and direct for re-elections in the designated booths,” said Samir Mohanty.

However, after the State Election Commissioner (SEC) clarified that there have been no reports of any booth rigging in the Zilla Parishad zone, party spokesperson Pitamber Acharya accused that the SEC of working for the interest of the ruling-BJD.