The Biju Janata Dal alleged large-scale vote rigging and questioned the “unusual” voter turnout patterns during the recently concluded Nuapada Assembly bypoll Thursday.

Briefing the media persons here, BJD Vice President Atanu Sabyasachi Nayak alleged, “According to election officials, voter turnout stood at 75 per cent till 5pm on polling day. However, later reports indicated that the turnout had increased to 83.5 per cent. While a high voter turnout is a positive sign for democracy, the addition of more than 8 per cent votes after the closing time raised serious doubts.”

He also accused that voter turnout exceeding 91 per cent in around 41 booths suggested possible vote rigging during the bypoll.

Nayak also alleged that many government officials had extended undue support to the rulin

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