Odisha Assembly Polls: BJP Khordha Nominee Prashant Jagdev Arrested For Vandalising EVM, Obstructing Voting

BJP MLA and the party's Khordha Assembly seat candidate Prashant Jagdev was arrested by the Odisha Police for allegedly vandalising an EVM at a polling booth on Saturday.

Odisha Assembly Election 2024: Chilika BJP MLA Prashant Jagdev, who is also the party’s nominee for the Khordha Assembly seat in Odisha, was arrested by the state police for allegedly vandalising an EVM and obstructing voting process at a polling booth during assembly polls in the state which were held simultaneously alongside phase 6 of the Lok Sabha polls on May 25 (Saturday).

According to officials, a complaint was filed against the BJP leader by the Presiding Officer, stating the Chilika MLA vandalised an EVM, created ruckus, abused polling personnel, and obstructed voting process at a polling booth on Saturday.

In his complaint, the presiding officer said Jagdev, along with his wife, had arrived at polling booth 114 in Bolagad block’s Kaunripatna in the Begunia assembly segment where he is registered as a voter.

However, the BJP MLA became furious when he had to wait in queue for some time to cast his vote as the EVM had malfunctioned. The irate leader then lashed out the polling personnel and engaged in a verbal spat with the presiding officer, amid which he reportedly pulled at the EVM from the table, as a result of which the machine fell and broke, officials said.

Superintendent of Police Avinash Kumar said the BJP MLA was arrested on the basis of a complaint lodged by the presiding officer. A court later sent him to judicial custody, and at present, he is lodged at the Khordha jail, the SP said, adding that Jagdev has been booked under various sections of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) and the Representation of People’s Act.

“The presiding officer in his complaint has alleged that the MLA created a disturbance at the booth, obstructed the voting process and abused the polling personnel”, SP Kumar said.

“We have requested the District Election Officer (DEO) to check the CCTV footage of the incident,” he said, adding that an investigation was underway.

The state’s ruling BJD also filed a complaint with the chief electoral officer (CEO), seeking stern action against Jagdev.

“He attacked the polling personnel in the booth and then fled the spot by hiding in the vehicle of Bhubaneswar MP Aparajita Sarangi,” BJD spokesperson Sasmit Patra alleged.

Meanwhile, reacting to the development, a BJP leader claimed the allegations against Jagdev were politically motivated and accused the presiding officer of “misbehaving” with the MLA and other voters.

Polling was held on Saturday for the state’s six Lok Sabha seats and 42 assembly constituencies, simultaneously.

(With PTI inputs)