Bhubaneswar, November 10: BJD president Naveen Patnaik on Monday accused the ruling BJP of violating model code of conduct (MCC) during the 48-hour silence period and urged the Election Commission of India (ECI) to ensure strict enforcement of the poll code and uphold the sanctity of the electoral process in the Nuapada Assembly byelection.

Expressing deep concern over reports of serious violations of the MCC ahead of polling, Patnaik in a post in X, said, "As per the Election Commission’s guidelines, political leaders and campaigners from outside the constituency are required to leave the area once the silence period begins. Contrary to this, we have reliable information that ministers, mlas and leaders of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) from outside Nuapada are freely moving around and attempting to influence voters through unfair means."

He further stated that when local BJD leaders raised objections, they were detained by the police - a move that points to partisan conduct by the administration and police.

"Such actions strike at the very foundation of democratic fairness and erode public faith in free and fair elections," said the veteran leader.

Seeking urgent intervention, Patnaik requested the Election Commission of India to strictly enforce the 48-hour silence period, ensure all non-local political leaders from outside vacate the constituency and direct the district administration and police to act impartially and closely monitor sensitive booths identified by opposition parties.

"India's democracy has been built through the sacrifices of our forefathers. It is the duty of every institution, especially the Election Commission, to protect it from erosion," said Patnaik.

Nuapada goes for polls on Tuesday. The Nuapada by-election was necessitated by the death of four-time MLA Rajendra Dholakia on September 8, 2025. The battle is expected to be a triangular fight among BJP’s Jay Dholakia, BJD’s Snehangini Chhuria, and Congress’s Ghasiram Majhi.