Bhubaneswar: The bypoll to Nuapada Assembly constituency in Odisha is likely to held alongside the upcoming Bihar Legislative Assembly elections.
Though the poll dates are expected after the final electoral roll publication on September 30, the Election Commission of India (ECI) on Sunday announced deployment of 470 officers as Central Observers–covering General, Police, and Expenditure categories–across Bihar and other states including Nuapada, where bye-elections are scheduled, to ensure smooth and transparent conduct of the polls.
“The Election Commission of India has decided to deploy 470 Officers (320 IAS, 60 from IPS and 90 from _ IRS/IRAS/ICAS etc.) serving in various states as Central Observers (General, Police and Expenditure) for the forthcoming election to the legislative assembly of Bihar and bye-elections in Jammu & Kashmir (AC- Budgam & Nagrota), Rajasthan (AC- Anta), Jharkhand (AC-Ghatsila), Telangana (AC – Jubilee Hills), Punjab (AC – Tarn Taran), Mizoram (AC – Dampa) and Odisha (AC – Nuapada).”
According to the ECI, the decision was taken under the plenary powers conferred by Article 324 of the Constitution and Section 20B of the Representation of the People Act, 1951, to monitor the conduct of elections in various constituencies. “The Observers have been entrusted with the crucial task of ensuring impartial, transparent, and credible elections, which form the foundation of democracy. They will work under the superintendence, control, and discipline of the Commission for the period from their appointment until the process of election is completed,” the poll body said in a statement.
The Nuapada bye-election has been necessitated by the death of sitting MLA from BJD Rajendra Dholakia. The 69-year-old former minister passed away while undergoing treatment for kidney-related ailments at a private hospital in Chennai on September 8. The bypoll has to be conducted within six months.
A Special Summary Revision (SSR) of the voters’ list is currently underway in this assembly constituency. The updated voters’ list will be published on October 9.
Also Read: Can BJP, Congress Upset BJD Applecart In Nuapada Bypoll ?
According to reports, the EC is expected to visit Bihar on October 4-5 to review preparedness for the forthcoming Assembly polls in the state. It may hold a press conference thereafter to release the Bihar poll schedule, possibly as early as October 6 or 7.
The term of the current Bihar assembly expires on November 22, 2025.
