14 Candidates Remain In Fray For Bijepur Bypoll

Bhubaneswar:  With the nomination papers of three candidates rejected by the Returning Officer on Wednesday, a total of 14 candidates have remained in fray for the ensuing byelection to Bijepur Assembly constituency.

The three candidates whose nomination papers were rejected are Ram Putel of Utkal Bharat Party, Kamal Kumar Das and Digambara Sahu (both Independent candidates).

The nomination papers of Ram Putel was rejected as one out of his ten proposers was not a native of Bijepur constituency.

The nomination papers of Kamal Kumar Das was rejected as he failed to submit additional affidavit while Digambara Sahu was deprived of contesting the poll as he failed to submit the affidavit and additional affidavit.

The remaining 14 candidates whose nomination papers were declared valid are Rita Sahu- BJD, Ashok Kumar Panigrahi-BJP, Pranaya Kumar Sahu-Congress, Debahari Harpal-Republican Party of India (A), Purna Chandra Paika-Ambedkarite Party of India, Jugal Kishore Sahu-Proutist Bloc, India and Kuber Jal Yadav, Chudamani Keshari, Jeharu Bag, Debarchan Nayak, Ratha Khalkho, Rajendra Purohit and Sadasiv Nag (all Independent candidates).

As per the notification by the Election Commission, the last date for withdrawal of nomination papers is February 9.

Polling would begin from 8 AM to 5 PM on February 24 while counting of votes will be held on February 28 and the results would be announced on the same day.

The election process would be completed before March 3.