Odisha Leaders Hail EC’s Decision To Seek Opinion On Poll Campaign Amid Pandemic

Bhubaneswar: Political leaders of Odisha on Saturday welcomed the decision of the Election Commission (EC) to seek opinion from regional and national parties on the modalities of poll campaign amid COVID-19 pandemic.

“As elections are the indispensable root of democracy, the decision of the EC seeking the opinion of all political parties is a welcome step,” BJD leader Sashi Bhusan Behera said.

Leader of the Opposition Pradipta Naik felt that the EC could have come up with a notification for election without consulting the political parties. However, seeking the opinion of the political parties amid the prevailing situation is praiseworthy. By convening an all-party meeting, the Commission will be able to formulate a strategy that will be acceptable to all.

Senior Congress leader Tara Prasad Bahinipati said the Chief Minister and the State Election Commission (SEC) should convene an all-party meeting so that election can be held on the basis of the decision taken at the meeting.

Opposition parties in Bihar had asked the EC to ensure that the upcoming assembly polls don’t become a super-spreader event amid the raging coronavirus pandemic.