Balasore Sadar, Tirtol Bypolls In Odisha On Nov 3

Bhubaneswar: The Election Commission of India (ECI) in a notification on Tuesday announced the date for the bypolls to Balasore Sadar and Tirtol (SC) Assembly constituencies in Odisha.

As per the schedule, bypoll to these two constituencies will be held on November 3 while the counting of votes and the results will be announced on November 10.

While a gazette notification will be issued for the bypoll on October 9, the last date of filing nominations is on October 16. The scrutiny of the nominations will be on October 17 and the withdrawal of nominations is on October 19.

The Commission has asked to complete the poll process by November 12.

The Commission further said that the model code of conduct shall come into force with immediate effect in Balasore and Jagatsinghpur districts and shall be applicable to all candidates, political parties and the state government concerned.

All instructions concerning publicity of criminal antecedents by the concerned candidates and the related political parties, who select them, shall be followed in these elections.

Other instructions including postal ballot facilities to the senior citizen (above 80 years of age) and persons with disability and election expenditure management etc shall be applicable to the bypolls.

Stating that adequate numbers of EVMs and VVPATs have been made available for the bypolls, the Commission said that in continuance of the existing practice, the voter’s identification shall be mandatory in the aforementioned elections at the time of poll.

While the Electoral Photo Identity cards (EPIC) shall be the main document of identification of a voter, however, in order to ensure that no voter is deprived of his/her franchise, if his/her name figures in the electoral rolls, alternate identity documents like Aadhar Card,  MNREGA Job Card, PAN Card, Passbooks with photograph issued by Bank/Post Office, Health Insurance Smart Card issued under the scheme of the Labour Ministry, Driving License, Passport, Service Identity Cards with photograph issued to employees, Smart Card issued by RGI under NPR, Pension document with photograph and official identity cards issued to MPs/MLAs/MLCs are also prescribed.