In Khurda, Odisha, a BJP candidate was arrested for vandalizing an EVM. The candidate, Chilika’s BJP MLA Prashant Jagdev, who is contesting from the Khurda assembly seat this time, was involved in the incident due to a malfunction in the EVM, which caused him to wait in line for a long time to cast his vote. The incident occurred on Saturday at booth 114 in Kourripatna of Bolagad block within the Begunia assembly constituency during the assembly and Lok Sabha elections in Odisha.

According to PTI, Prasanta Jagdev went to the booth with his wife but had to wait because the EVM was malfunctioning. Officials reported that an argument ensued between Jagdev and the presiding officer, during which Jagdev pulled the EVM from the table, causing it to fall and break.

What Did The Odisha Police Say On This?

Superintendent of Police Avinash Kumar stated that the MLA was arrested based on the presiding officer’s complaint. The SP mentioned that a case was registered against Jagdev under various sections of the IPC and the Representation of People Act. The court subsequently sent Prashant Jagdev to judicial custody, and he is currently in Khurda jail.

Avinash Kumar added that the presiding officer’s complaint alleged that the MLA disrupted the voting process, caused disturbances at the booth, and misbehaved with polling personnel. The SP also mentioned that they have requested the District Election Officer to review the CCTV footage of the incident.

A BJP leader, however, claimed that the allegations against Prashant Jagdev were politically motivated. He alleged that the presiding officer had misbehaved with many voters, including the MLA. Meanwhile, the state’s ruling BJD also filed a complaint with the Chief Electoral Officer (CEO), demanding strict action against Prashant Jagdev.

BJD spokesperson Sasmit Patra alleged that Jagdev attacked polling personnel at the booth and then fled, hiding in the car of Bhubaneswar MP Aparajita Sarangi. Voting took place simultaneously on Saturday for six Lok Sabha seats and 42 assembly seats in the state.

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