Odisha SEC Issues Order To Balangir Collector On Sarpanch Auction

Bhubaneswar: State Election Commissioner (SEC) Aditya Prasad Padhi on Thursday directed Balangir collector to ensure that no willing person is obstructed/dissuaded from filing nomination papers for the sarpanch post of Bileisarada gram panchayat in the district.

The SEC issued the order during a review meeting with all the district collectors  through video-conferencing. The order follows allegation of auction of sarpanch post of the panchayat.

Earlier, additional district magistrate Mahendra Mohapatra and Puintala BDO had submitted the inquiry report on the incident to the collector who had submitted it to the SEC.

Padhi also reviewed removal of the hoardings, banners and posters from government buildings and public places. He ordered disengagement of GRS of Purusottampr panchayat under Chandabali block in Bhadrak district.

In another order, the SEC directed Bhadrak collector to issue show cause notice to the panchayat executive officer (PEO) for allowing government office to be misused. The BJP had complained to the SEC on the matter on Wednesday.