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Odisha CEO Rejects BJD Claim of Illegal EVM Transfer Before Nuapada Bypoll

Election preparations proceed for Tuesday's bypoll across 358 booths including LWE areas.

Overview

  • Chief Electoral Officer R. S. Gopalan said CCTV reviews of two Ganjam warehouses showed no truck entry or EVM movement and noted the facilities have not been opened this month.
  • He stated that only machines stored in Nuapada will be used for the November 11 vote and urged the public not to rely on unverified reports.
  • The CEO's office detailed ECI protocols that include double-lock storage, round-the-clock police guard, continuous CCTV surveillance, logbooks, and videographed inspections with party representatives.
  • The BJD reiterated its allegation, claimed EVMs were intended for 32 booths in Nuapada, and questioned CCTV reliability by pointing to past failures in Berhampur and Puri.
  • District officials and the CRPF reported arrangements for 358 polling stations, with choppers ferrying staff to 47 LWE-affected locations and 2.53 lakh voters set to choose among 14 candidates.