Odisha

Panchayat Polls In Odisha: SEC To Issue Guidelines Soon, Oppn Seeks Postponement, PIL In HC; Check Details

By
OB Bureau

Bhubaneswar: State Election Commissioner (SEC) Aditya Prasad Padhi on Monday said guidelines for conducting the upcoming panchayat elections in Odisha will be issued soon.

Padhi said this after an all-party meeting here to discuss the polls. The SEC discussed holding of the panchayat polls with the parties amid the prevailing COVID-19 situation in Odisha and sought their views and suggestions.

While the Opposition BJP and Congress demanded postponement of the polls because of the COVID-19 situation, the BJD wants the polls to take place without any delay.

In the meeting, the Opposition demanded postponement of the polls for at least three months on two grounds: COVID third wave and reservation for ST/OBC candidates.

“The Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) has already issued guidelines on the conduct of Assembly elections in several states. We are framing similar guidelines to ensure free, fair and safe elections in the state. The guidelines will be issued soon,” Padhi said, after the meeting.

Padhi said the SEC’s priority will be on holding free and fair polls with strict compliance with COVID protocols.

Meanwhile, the Bharatiya Vikas Parishad on Monday moved the Orissa High Court seeking deferment of the panchayat elections in view of the Omicron-fuelled third wave and OBC reservation issue.

Following a meeting of its top officials with Padhi, the state government on Saturday announced its readiness to conduct the 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.

OB Bureau

Recent Posts

Centre Approves Repatriation Of IAS Officer SK Mishra To Parent Cadre Odisha

Bhubaneswar: The Central government has approved repatriation of IAS officer Sanjeeb Kumar Mishra to Odisha…

November 12, 2024

30 Artists Draw Paintings On Life of Odisha’s 1st CM Harekrushna Mahatab At Camp In Bhubaneswar

Bhubaneswar: As part of the 125th birth anniversary celebration of Odisha's first Chief Minister ‘Utkal…

November 12, 2024

State-Level Children’s Fest ‘Suravi’ Takes Off In Bhubaneswar

Bhubaneswar: The state-level Sishu Mahotsav 2024, 'Suravi', took off on the premises of Capital High…

November 12, 2024

‘Yaariyaan’ Actor Himansh Kohli Ties The Knot In A Private Ceremony

Mumbai: ‘Yaariyaan’ actor Himansh Kohli got hitched in a private ceremony on Tuesday. The actor…

November 12, 2024

ECoR To Enhance Power Infra In Several Rly Sections In Odisha

Bhubaneswar: The East Coast Railway (ECoR) is set to enhance its electrification infrastructure with the introduction…

November 12, 2024

5th EMRS National Cultural & Literary Fest & Kala Utsav Begins On Odisha

Bhubaneswar: More than 1400 students from 22 states are participating in the 5th EMRS (Eklavya…

November 12, 2024

Mukesh Khanna Gets Trolled For Posting Teasers On Shaktimaan’s Return

Mumbai: Veteran actor Mukesh Khanna left netizens in a bad mood after he announced the…

November 12, 2024

Rourkela NIT, Bhubaneswar’s KIIT & Cuttack’s SCB Medical College Win State-Level RBI90Quiz

Bhubaneswar: The team from the National Institute of Technology, Rourkela comprising Arpan Chakrabarty and  Dibyajyoti…

November 12, 2024