PARADIP: Supporters of Biju Workers Union (BWU) allegedly entered eight booths in Jhimani and Bagadia villages under Paradip Lock police station and snatched away ballot boxes during the third phase of polling on Wednesday. Sources said five candidates were contesting for sarpanch post in Bagadia panchayat under Kujang block. Among them were candidates backed by BWU and Paradip-Ersama Industrial Council Parishad for Bagadia panchayat. While Rani Tarai was backed by BWU, Anita Routray was supported by the Parishad. When polling was underway in five booths (booths 7,10,11,12 and 13) of Bagadia village, supporters of Anita led by her husband Rabi allegedly terrorised voters and asked them to cast their votes in her favour. Receiving information, Rani’s supporters allegedly barged into the booths, snatched the ballot boxes and threw them into a nearby river. They also took away ballot boxes from three booths in Jhimani village. Following the incident, spokesperson of BWU Pitamber Tarai demanded re-polling in eight booths of the panchayat. District Collector Narayan Chandra Jena said police officers had been mobilised to the affected booths and had written to the State Election Commission for re-polling. Meanwhile, Paradip ASP Bijaya Kumar Sahu said four of the ballot boxes have been retrieved.
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