Bhubaneswar: In the wake of the commencement of Odisha’s first phase of voting for the General Elections 2024 on Monday, the state witnessed a swift response to allegations of election-related malpractices. Nikunja Bihari Dhal, CEO of Odisha, announced the suspension of two polling officials accused of allowing such malpractices in the polling booths in Kalahandi and Ganjam.
In an official statement, Dhal revealed that two polling officials faced suspension following allegations of breaching their official duties during the polling process. The suspended officials include Manas Ranjan Sethy, who served as the Presiding Officer of Polling station no. 74 under 135-Chikiti AC in Ganjam district.
The decision to suspend Sethy was made by the District Election Officer of Ganjam, based on an office order issued promptly after the allegations surfaced.