Archive · 2 Oct 2026
Odisha Dhamnagar Faces Probe Over Alleged Voter Deletions
Some workers who help manage voter lists in Dhamnagar, Odisha, said someone used their login details and phone codes to request that many voters be removed.
One worker said 227 removal requests appeared under her name.
Other workers said similar things happened to them.
They said they had shared the codes because they thought they were needed for checking information.
They also alleged that some workers were pressured to process the requests quickly.
Many of the affected voters were Muslim, according to officials and the workers.
Police and election officials are investigating the allegations.
A local election official, Santosh Kumar Nayak, was suspended while disciplinary proceedings are considered.
The requests were withdrawn, and most of the affected voters remained on the final voter list.
Several Dhamnagar Booth-Level Officers alleged that Form 7 voter-deletion applications were uploaded using their credentials and OTPs without authorization.
Nirupama Tripathy said 227 applications were filed through her account, while other BLOs reported 130 and 190 applications respectively.
A police complaint alleged pressure on BLOs, threats of show-cause notices, and involvement by NAC supervisors in processing the applications.
Reports cited more than 3,000 Form 7 applications across Dhamnagar, including 1,468 applications across 10 booths, with over 90% allegedly concerning Muslim voters.
Santosh Kumar Nayak was suspended pending disciplinary proceedings, while the applications were withdrawn and most affected voters appeared in the final roll.
- Who
- Dhamnagar Booth-Level Officers, Santosh Kumar Nayak, election authorities, police, and the Biju Janata Dal are involved.
- What
- Form 7 applications seeking voter deletions were allegedly uploaded using BLO credentials and OTPs without authorization.
- When
- BLOs complained on September 4; the Biju Janata Dal submitted a memorandum on September 7; Nayak’s suspension order was issued on September 28; a fresh complaint was reported on October 1.
- Where
- Dhamnagar Assembly constituency and Dhamnagar Notified Area Council in Bhadrak district, Odisha.
- Why
- The BLOs said their credentials and OTPs were obtained for alleged verification but were instead used to submit voter-deletion applications.
BLOs and Opposition Concerns
Election and Administrative Response
Use of credentials and OTPs
BLOs and Opposition Concerns
The BLOs alleged that they shared OTPs for verification but that their credentials were used to upload Form 7 applications without their consent.
Election and Administrative Response
A preliminary inquiry reportedly found that the forms appeared to have been processed in an unauthorized manner, leading to suspension and further disciplinary action against the AERO.
Treatment of affected voters
BLOs and Opposition Concerns
The BLOs and the Biju Janata Dal said many affected voters were genuine and urged a thorough investigation and review of Form 7 deletions.
Election and Administrative Response
The applications were withdrawn, and most of the affected voters were included in the final electoral roll.
Scope of review
BLOs and Opposition Concerns
The Biju Janata Dal said that, if the allegations are proven, all Form 7 deletions in Odisha should be reviewed so that no eligible voter is excluded.
Election and Administrative Response
Authorities ordered a detailed inquiry into the Dhamnagar matter and sought a draft charge against Nayak, but the reports do not state that a statewide review was ordered.
- Affected area
- Dhamnagar Assembly constituency and Dhamnagar Notified Area Council, Odisha
- Reported volume
- More than 3,000 Form 7 applications reportedly came from Dhamnagar; 1,468 were reported across 10 polling booths.
- Individual cases
- Nirupama Tripathy reported 227 applications, while other BLOs reported 130 and 190 applications.
- Reported demographic pattern
- More than 90% of the applications allegedly concerned Muslim voters.
- Administrative action
- Santosh Kumar Nayak was suspended pending disciplinary proceedings under Rule 12 of the Odisha Civil Services rules.
- Electoral outcome
- The applications were withdrawn, and most affected voters appeared in Odisha’s final electoral roll released on September 21.
- Statewide figures
- Odisha’s voter count fell from 3.33 crore before the revision to 3.16 crore in the final roll; 20,707 names were deleted through Form 7 applications statewide.
