The Odisha State Election Commission has barred government chief whip and Biju Janata Dal MLA Pramila Mallik from campaigning in the panchayat elections for alleged violation of poll code of conduct.

Polling for the first phase of the panchayat elections will be held on Wednesday. The campaign for the first phase came to an end on Monday evening.

The SEC’s action came following Mallick’s speech to the voters that if they don’t cast their votes in support of the BJD candidates in the panchayat elections, they would be deprived of getting benefits of the various government schemes such as ration cards , pucca houses and old age pension.

After getting a complaint from people, Jajpur district collector enquired into the matter and submitted a report to the SEC.

However, Mallick remained defiant and said: “What's wrong in asking people to vote for the candidates of my party? There is nothing wrong in asking the voters not to approach me if they don’t back my party’s candidates in the election.”

Meanwhile, the state election commission warned fake voters against trying to cast votes in the election. In the first phase, elections will be held in 1669 panchayats in 71 blocks. The campaign for this phase came to an end on Monday evening with leaders campaigning in various areas returning to the headquarters. All the polling officials have reached their respective poll booths.