Bhubaneswar: The Odisha government on Thursday made it clear that there will be no change in the annual High School Certificate (HSC) examinations schedule for the ensuing by-election to the Bijepur Assembly constituency in Bargarh district scheduled on February 24.
Talking to the media here, Secretary, School and Mass Education, Pradipta Mohapatra said the HSC examination would begin from February 23.
“Since there is no examination on February 24, the by-election would be held as usual in the allotted booths. Out of a total of 270 polling booths, 13 booths have been set up in 7 schools which have been earmarked as examination centres. In case there is re-polling, it will be held on February 26. Since there is examination on that day, the students will have no problem as arrangements will be made to shift the polling booth to a nearby Upper Primary school where re-polling would be held,” Mohapatra said.
Earlier in the day, Chief Electoral Officer (CEO), DN Gupta had said that the students will face no problem on the first day of the examination on February 23 as the polling party would reach the examination centres, where the booths have been set up, in the evening and leave the booth by 10 PM the next day.
“However, if there is a need to shift the booths from these schools, the matter would be taken up for discussion with the district administration and the Election Commission,” he added.