New Delhi, Dec 23: The Biju Janata Dal (BJD) filed a formal complaint with the Election Commission, highlighting "unusual" discrepancies in the votes cast during the 2024 Parliamentary and Assembly elections in Odisha, as well as issues with other related electoral data.
A delegation of BJD leaders, including all of its Rajya Sabha members, visited the Election Commission office and submitted a memorandum detailing their concerns. The party alleged that there were "serious discrepancies" between Form 17-C, completed by presiding officers, and Form 20, filled out by returning officers.
The discrepancies, according to the BJD, were primarily related to the number of votes recorded in various assembly constituencies and the corresponding 21 parliamentary constituencies. The party pointed out that the variations in the vote tally ranged from 4,056 votes in Dhenkanal to 3,521 votes in Kandhamal and 2,701 votes in Balangir.
The BJD further claimed that this election saw an unprecedented difference between the initial voting percentage reported at the end of polling day and the final figures released by the Election Commission two days later. The variation, they said, ranged from 15% to 30%, a situation described by the party as “unprecedented” in Odisha's electoral history and possibly across the country.
Amar Patnaik, former MP and senior BJD leader, told the media that the memorandum's purpose was to ensure greater transparency in the election process.
"We are bringing these discrepancies to the Election Commission's attention to reinforce the faith that the people of Odisha—and the citizens of this country—have in the Election Commission for conducting free and fair elections," Patnaik said.
He also noted that the Election Commission had assured them that the complaint would be thoroughly investigated, and that the BJD would be called for further discussions on the matter.
