Odisha CEO Asks Collectors For LS Polls Expense Estimate

Bhubaneswar: The Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) of Odisha, Surendra Kumar on Monday asked the district collectors for an estimate of expenditure towards the tour of polling parties as well as security at the booths in view of the ensuing Lok Sabha elections.

In a letter to the collectors, Kumar also directed them to provide details regarding infrastructure requirement for smooth conduct of the elections.

The CEO has also asked them to take early steps for construction of new strong rooms and inform about the condition of the existing ones in their district.

This apart, the CEO has also informed the collector about the use of Voter Verifiable Paper Audit Trail (VVPAT) machines in the ensuing Lok Sabha polls.

“The general elections are likely to be held next year. Keeping this in view, the state government machinery has to remain prepared and ensure that all requirements for the polls are put in place,” Kumar told newsmen here.

Asked whether the general elections would be held before schedule, he said this is a routine process of the Election Commission to keep the state government machinery prepared for it.

The CEO further said that the Centre will bear all expenses towards construction of the strong rooms in each district. “We have requested the Works Department to complete construction of these strong rooms within the specified timeline and hand them over to the district administration,” he added.