Electronic gadgets seized by poll officials in Puri

Bhubaneswar: Poll officials in Puri district on Sunday seized electronic gadgets on suspicion that the articles were being taken for distribution among voters in Kanas area of the district. This is first instance of electronic goods seizure during the election season in Odisha. However, police and poll officials have seized a lot of cash and liquor at regular intervals across different districts.
“We received information that a vehicle was transporting refrigerators, mixer grinders and television sets in Kanas area. Our flying squad intercepted the vehicle. The driver failed to give satisfactory answers when asked about the delivery of the goods. We strongly apprehend that the kitchen and home appliances were meant for wooing voters,” Puri district collector and returning officer Jyoti Prakash Das told TOI.

Sources said four refrigerators, ten mixer grinders, four television sets and some induction cookers were seized from the vehicle. “We handed over the electronic goods to the police. Prima facie, we have found that the goods were supposed to be delivered to a self-help group in Kanas area. Investigation is underway to ascertain more details,” Das said. The recovery of the gadgets came a day after poll officials seized nearly Rs 16.75 lakh in cash in Puri district on Saturday.

The Puri Lok Sabha seat along with Bhubaneswar, Cuttack, Dhenkanal, Keonjhar and Sambalpur and the 42 assembly segments under them will go to polls on April 23.