BJD Seeks Urgent Probe Into Dhamnagar Voter Deletion Row
Bhubaneswar, Sept 7: The Biju Janata Dal (BJD) has urged the Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) of Odisha to initiate an immediate, independent probe into alleged irregularities in voter deletions through Form‑7 in Dhamnagar Notified Area Council (NAC), Bhadrak.
According to complaints from Booth Level Officers (BLOs), Santosh Kumar Nayak, Executive Officer‑cum‑Assistant Electoral Registration Officer, allegedly pressured them to misuse Form‑7, collect OTPs, and delete voters without following due procedure.
Form‑7 is meant for removing names due to death, shifting, or duplication. BJD fears its misuse could disenfranchise genuine voters ahead of the final roll publication on September 21, 2026.
The party highlighted that nearly 20 lakh names were marked for deletion statewide in July’s draft rolls, with Bhadrak flagged as a hotspot.
To safeguard electoral integrity, BJD submitted a ten‑point action plan, including Nayak’s suspension, sealing of Form‑7 records, re‑verification of deletions, and protection for BLOs.
Dhamnagar, a Scheduled Caste Assembly seat currently held by BJP minister Suryabanshi Suraj, is politically sensitive, while the NAC itself remains a BJD stronghold.
The CEO has received the letter but is yet to respond. Scrutiny of claims ends September 17, 2026, leaving little time for corrective action.
