ECI suspends two poll officials in Odisha

Bhubaneswar: The Election Commission of India (ECI) on Monday suspended two election officials in Odisha for alleged dereliction of duty.

According to Odisha Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) Nikunja Bihari Dhal, one of the two suspended election officials is from Narla Aassembly constituency in Kalahandi district while the other is from Ganjam district.

“We are monitoring the electoral process through webcasting and there have been reports of a clash between small groups from Chikiti area in Ganjam district. I spoke to Berhampur SP and Ganjam Collector and asked them to ensure that voting in Berhampur LS constituency, especially in Chikiti area, goes smoothly,” Dhal told the media today.

Dhal appealed to voters to exercise their franchise in large numbers as voter turnout was low in Berhampur Lok Sabha constituency. “In the first few hours, there were some technical glitches in EVMs at some places, but the situation has stabilised,” he said.