RS Election Results In Odisha To Be Announced On Feb 20, Says Returning Officer

Bhubaneswar: With three candidates filing nominations for election to three seats of Rajya Sabha from Odisha, its results will be declared on February 20 instead of February 27.

Speaking to media on Thursday, the returning officer for the Rajya Sabha elections, Abanikanta Pattnaik said till the last date for filing nominations for Rajya Sabha elections in the state on February 15, only three candidates have filed the papers.

“There is one candidate for each seat in the election. As a result, there will be no contest. As per norms, it does not warrant elections,” he said.

If none of the three candidates withdraws nomination on the last date for nomination withdrawal on February 20, the results will be sent to the Election Commission of India to declare the winners on the same day, he added.

It may be noted that former Barabati-Cuttack MLA Debasish Samantaray and Biju Yuba Janata Dal (BYJD) vice-president Subhasish Khuntia have filed their nominations for ruling BJD for two seats of Rajya Sabha.

Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw filed his papers as the BJP nominee on Thursday. The BJD had earlier announced to support Vaishnaw in the elections.