Odisha Govt Expresses Readiness To Conduct Panchayat Elections

Bhubaneswar: Following the meeting of its top officials with State Election Commissioner Aditya Prasad Padhi, the state government on Saturday announced its readiness to conduct three-tier panchayat elections.

The government, in three Gazzette notifications issued on the day, called upon the Panchayati Raj Institutions (PRIs) to elect people’s representatives to different posts.

As per the Gazettes, the government called upon the gram panchayats of the state to elect their Ward Members and Sarpanches in accordance with the provisions of the Odisha Grama Panchayat Act, 1964 except Dhinkia panchayat under Erasama block
of Jagatsinghpur district.

The government also called upon the constituencies of the Zilla Parishads to elect their members in accordance with the provisions of the Odisha Zilla Parishad Act, 1991 and the constituencies of the Panchayat Samitis to elect their members in accordance with the provisions of the Odisha Panchayat Samiti Act, 1959.

With the government declaring its preparedness, the State Election Commission is likely to announce the dates for panchayat elections any moment.

Earlier in the day, Special Relief Commissioner, chief secretary, additional chief secretary, Health department and other top officials briefed the State Election Commissioner about COVID situation in the state and security aspects.

Also Read: Odisha Panchayat Polls: SEC Discusses COVID Situation & Security Issues With Govt Officials