Nuapada bypoll: Campaigning to end today; silence period to begin at 4 PM

Nuapada: The high-voltage campaign for the Nuapada Assembly bypoll in Odisha will conclude today, following which the mandatory 48-hour silence period will come into effect from 4 PM.

With campaigning set to end this evening, candidates and party workers are making last-minute efforts to reach out to voters across the constituency.

Also Read: Odisha: Narcotics worth Rs 1.2 crore seized in bypoll-bound Nuapada

As per the directive of the Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) of Odisha, strict guidelines will be enforced during the silence period — the 48 hours preceding the close of polling — for the Nuapada bypoll scheduled on November 11 (Tuesday).

Also Read: Odisha CEO issues strict guidelines for 48-hour ‘silence period’ ahead of Nuapada bypoll

Key Restrictions During Silence Period

Exit of Outside Party Workers:
Political leaders, functionaries and campaigners brought from outside the Nuapada Assembly constituency must leave the area once campaigning ends.

Intensified Monitoring & Checks:
The District Election Officer and Superintendent of Police have been instructed to:
• conduct checks at community halls, Kalyan Mandaps and similar facilities to ensure no outside party workers stay back
• scrutinize lodges and guest houses to track occupants
• set up border check-posts to monitor vehicle movement into the constituency
• verify identities of individuals entering the area to ensure they are genuine voters

Ban on Public Campaigning:
Public meetings, rallies, loudspeaker announcements, and door-to-door campaigning will be prohibited during the silence period.

Media Restrictions:
Paid news, political advertisements, and mass media campaigning — including TV, radio, print, and cable networks — are restricted.

Social Media & Digital Limits:
Online campaigning, bulk messaging, and political outreach through social media platforms will be barred. The CEO urged digital restraint to help maintain a calm atmosphere enabling voters to make informed choices without undue influence.

Polling for the Nuapada by-election will be held on November 11, and counting will take place on November 14.