SEC To Review Odisha Rural Polls Preparations On Jan 15; Check Key Constituencies

Bhubaneswar State Election Commissioner (SEC) Aditya Prasad Padhi will hold a meeting with district collectors and SPs at 10.30 am on January 15 in virtual mode for the smooth conduct of the three-tier Panchayat Elections in Odisha.

Spanned over five-phases, rural polls will be held to 853 Zilla Parishads (ZPs), 6,794 panchayats and 91,913 wards from February 16-24. Voting will be held on February 16, 18, 20, 22 and 24 from 7 am to 1 pm.

Also Read: Five-Phase Panchayat Polls In Odisha From Feb 16 to 24

Elections will be held to 1,616 gram panchayats on February 16, 1,514 on February 18, 1,382 on February 20, 1,254 on February 22 and 22,935 on February 24. Over 2.79 crore voters will exercise their franchise.

Also Read: ‘Cannot Be Deferred,’ Says SEC, Announcing Panchayat Polls Schedule In Odisha 

Issuing COVID guidelines for the poll on Tuesday, the SEC banned roadshow, padayatra, cycle, bike or vehicle rallies during the campaign. Political parties, probable candidates or any other group will not be allowed to hold any physical rally and there will be no victory procession after the results are declared on February 26, 27 and 28.

Political parties and candidates have instead been advised to conduct their campaign through digital, virtual and media platforms and mobile-based mode.

KEY CONSTITUENCIES

Phase-1 on Feb 16: Hinjli, Seragada, Patnagarh, Mahanga, Junagarh, Aul, Brahmagiri will go to polls. Total 202 ZPs along with 1669 GPs and 22379 wards and 67.51 lakh voters.

Phase-II on Feb 18: Bhandaripokhari, Boudh, Badamba, Dhenkanal, Jeypore, Koraput, Baripada, Nimapada, Chandbali. Total 186 ZPs, 1514 GPs, 20436 wards will go to polls with 62.10 lakh voters exercising their franchise.

Phase III on Feb 20: Pallahara, Bijepur, Rayagada, Phulbani, Rajnagar, Nayagarh, Khariar, Satyabadi, Puri Sadar, Anandpur, Chilika and Khurda with 171 ZPs, 1382 GPs and 18,495 wards will have 56.53 lakh voters voting for their candidates.