Odisha CEO to meet BJD delegation on May 11 over Rajya Sabha ballot row
Synopsis
A fortnight after filing a formal complaint with the Election Commission of India, the BJD is set to meet Odisha's Chief Electoral Officer on 11 May over allegations that two legislators were illegally issued second ballot papers during the 16 March Rajya Sabha elections — a charge that, if upheld, could have serious constitutional consequences for the poll outcome.
Key Takeaways
Gopalan will meet a BJD delegation on 11 May at 11 am in Bhubaneswar.
The meeting concerns alleged illegal issuance of second ballot papers to legislators Upasana Mohapatra and Purna Chandra Sethy during the 16 March Rajya Sabha elections.
Sasmit Patra filed an urgent representation with the Election Commission of India on 28 April on the instructions of BJD President Naveen Patnaik .
ECI Under Secretary Rajendra Kumar Singh wrote to the Odisha CEO on 29 April , requesting an urgent appointment.
The BJD delegation will be led by Prasanna Acharya , Deputy Leader of the BJD Legislature Party, and includes the party's Chief Whip, Deputy Chief Whip, and counting agents.
The BJD is demanding immediate statutory action and a transparent inquiry into the alleged electoral irregularities.
Odisha Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) R.S. Gopalan is scheduled to meet a delegation of the Biju Janata Dal (BJD) on 11 May in Bhubaneswar, over the alleged illegal issuance of a second ballot paper to legislators Upasana Mohapatra and Purna Chandra Sethy during the Rajya Sabha biennial elections held on 16 March. The meeting follows a formal representation made to the Election Commission of India (ECI) by the BJD, which has demanded statutory action into what it describes as a serious electoral irregularity.
How the Meeting Was Scheduled
Acting on instructions from BJD President Naveen Patnaik, senior party leader Sasmit Patra submitted an urgent representation to the ECI on 28 April. In response, ECI Under Secretary Rajendra Kumar Singh addressed a communication to the Odisha CEO on 29 April, requesting an urgent appointment with the BJD delegation to examine the matter.
Point of View
The party is using electoral grievance mechanisms to reassert relevance and keep pressure on the ruling BJP. The core allegation — that officers in the voting room issued second ballot papers — is serious enough to warrant scrutiny, but the ECI's track record on post-poll irregularity complaints from losing parties warrants measured expectations. The 11 May meeting is procedural; what matters is whether it leads to a formal inquiry order, which would be the real test of institutional responsiveness.
NationPress
28 Jun 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is the Odisha CEO meeting the BJD on 11 May?
The Odisha CEO R.S. Gopalan is meeting the BJD delegation on 11 May to examine the party's complaint that two legislators were allegedly issued second ballot papers illegally during the 16 March Rajya Sabha elections. The meeting was arranged following a formal ECI communication to the state electoral office.
What is the BJD's allegation in the Rajya Sabha ballot paper row?
The BJD alleges that officers present in the voting room during the 16 March Rajya Sabha biennial elections illegally issued second ballot papers to legislators Upasana Mohapatra and Purna Chandra Sethy. The party contends this compromised the integrity of the electoral process.
Who filed the complaint with the Election Commission of India?
BJD MP Sasmit Patra filed an urgent representation with the ECI on 28 April, acting on the instructions of BJD President Naveen Patnaik. Patra also served as a counting agent during the Rajya Sabha elections and is the petitioner in the matter.
Who will be part of the BJD delegation meeting the Odisha CEO?
The delegation will be led by Prasanna Acharya, Deputy Leader of the BJD Legislature Party. It will also include Chief Whip Pramila Mallik, Deputy Chief Whip Pratap Deb, MLA Arun Kumar Sahoo, and BJD MP Sasmit Patra.
What action is the BJD seeking in this matter?
The BJD is demanding immediate statutory action into the alleged irregularities and calling for a fair and transparent inquiry to uphold the sanctity of the electoral process. The outcome of the 11 May meeting is expected to determine whether a formal inquiry is initiated.
