Bhubaneswar: The Election Commission of India (ECI) on Monday deferred the by-election to Pipili Assembly constituency in Odisha’s Puri district. The decision has been taken in view of the surge in COVID-19 pandemic.
The EC said in a notification that after taking all material facts and inputs of the Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) Odisha into consideration and taking note of the lockdown/restrictions under Disaster Management Act, 2005, as issued by NDMA/SDMA, it has decided to defer the scheduled poll and extend the period of the bypoll in Pipili Assembly constituency.
It further said a fresh notification will be issued after assessing the pandemic situation.
The Commission also directed lifting of model code of conduct in Pipili Assembly constituency with immediate effect and will be in operation from next date of notification.
The election was to be conducted on May 16.
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