The Kendrapada district administration on Saturday clamped prohibitory order under Section 144 of the CrPC in whole of the district following post-poll violence that erupted in some areas including the headquarters town. “The prohibitory order under Section 144 of the CrPC, which was initially clamped in the district headquarters, has been extended to the entire district,” said district Collector Nitin Bhanudas Jawale. He said the prohibitory order would remain in force till Sunday.
Accusing the ruling Biju Janata Dal (BJD) of rigging and tampering the electronic voting machines (EVM), the Opposition parties on Friday staged demonstrations and protests in the town.
A mob also assaulted Block Development Officer of Marsaghai Susant Kumar Pati, after they found a Government vehicle carrying 28 pairs of electronic voting machines (EVMs) parked near his official residence at the lIC colony near Saantsahi under the Kendrapada township area. The mob broke open the gate and ransacked his house. On being informed, police rushed to the spot and rescued Pati from the mob. He was then hospitalised in a local hospital with injuries on his head and face. A case has been said against the mob, police said.
However, Election Observers Ramesh Kaul and Manish Ranjan, who conducted the check in presence of several Congress and BJP candidates, rejected allegations that the EVMs were tampered with or were stored by the BDO for manipulation of votes. They were kept for demo purpose.
“The EVMs spotted in front of the quarters were reserve machines. These had been dispatched to various booths of Mahakalpada Assembly constituency so that it could be put to use when any EVM turned dysfunctional. There was no mala-fide intention in the storing of the EVMs. However, it should have been sent to the strong room earlier,” Jawale said.