Odisha bypolls: Tension Over Casting Of Postal Ballot By ‘Ineligible Voter’

Balasore: Tension ran high at Old Balasore on Friday over a 40-year-old woman’s vote through postal ballot system for the by-election to the Balasore Sadar Assembly Constituency.

Locals opposed her postal ballot alleging that the concerned woman voter from ward no.1 is neither a divyang, pregnant nor a COVID patient to qualify for inclusion in the list. It has been alleged that such goof-up is a deliberate attempt to favour a particularly party in the by-poll.

“The polling party came and informed me that such a provision has been made in view of the COVID-19 pandemic. I had exercised my franchise and the name of my mother-in-law was also included for the postal ballot,” said Pratima Nayak.

When asked, Nayak clarified that she is neither physically challenged, pregnant nor COVID19 positive.

“When we reached the spot, we were told that voting was underway through postal ballot. When I asked the authorities, they informed that the persons, who are divyangs, pregnant or 80 years above are only allowed for postal ballot,” said Bhagya Ranjan Nayak, a local resident.

Nayak said that in this particular case, the concerned woman was not eligible and she exercised her franchise which is illegal.

A member of the polling party said, “We came for postal ballot as per the list submitted to us.”

Following the incident, Chief Electoral Officer of Odisha, SK Lohani meanwhile has directed Balasore district collector to submit a report by Saturday morning.

Also Read: Fourth ‘Green Corridor’ In Bhubaneswar To Shift Critically Ill Patient