ECI Approves Suspension of Dhamnagar NAC Officer Over Voter Roll Misuse

The Election Commission of India (ECI) has approved the suspension of Santosh Kumar Nayak, Executive Officer of Dhamnagar NAC and Assistant Electoral Registration Officer for the 46-Dhamnagar (SC) Assembly Constituency.

The action follows allegations of misuse of Booth Level Officers’ (BLOs) identity cards, credentials, and OTPs, along with unauthorised uploading of Form‑7 applications to delete voter names.

The Chief Electoral Officer, Odisha, directed suspension under the Odisha Civil Services (CCA) Rules, 1962, and preparation of a draft charge sheet for major penalty proceedings.

The Bhadrak Collector and District Election Officer has communicated with the Housing and Urban Development Department, which will handle further proceedings as the cadre‑controlling authority.

Officials emphasised that the suspension is based on the ERO’s report and the ECI’s independent assessment, not political representations.

The move aims to safeguard the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls from interference and ensure transparency in the voter list process.