Campaigning For First Phase Of Odisha Panchayat Polls Ends

11 February, Bhubaneswar

Campaigning for the first phase elections to the Panchayat bodies in Odisha came to an end this evening.

The State Election Commission (SEC) Saturday announced the preparations for the first phase Panchayat polls in the state to commence on February 13 next. SEC sources here said elections would be held in 189 Zilla Parishad Zones spread over 29 districts in 20,368 wards under 1,506 Gram Panchayat on February 13.

A total of 58,28,446 voters will exercise their franchise in 20,369 polling booths.The SEC directed the District Collectors and the Superintendent of Police to ensure a peaceful polling in their district.

The Commission has directed to make necessary arrangements for installation of CCTV cameras in the sensitive booths, if required.The Commission had also imposed restriction on political leaders, workers and campaigners who are note voters of the block to leave the area by this evening.

The Panchayat elections will be held for the posts of 853 Zilla Parishad members, 6,802 Sarpanches, 6,801 Panchayat Samiti members and 92,052 ward members.

The elections will be held in five phases on February 13, 15, 17, 19 and 21. Polling on each of these five days will start at 0700 hrs and will continue till 1200 hours.