Bhubaneswar, Jan 6:

The State Election Commission (SEC) on Friday held a meeting with officials of the Odisha government for the smooth conduct of panchayat elections scheduled from February 13.

panchayat-election-meeting

The meeting attended by senior officials and all District Collectors and Superintendents of Police here was convened to ensure free and fair three-tier panchayat polls.

"Discussions were held on various aspects of panchayat elections. The main discussion was on conducting polls in a free, fair and peaceful manner," said State Election Commissioner Rabi Narayan Senapati.

He said the Collectors and SPs were directed to ensure incident-free elections.

Angul Collector Anil Kumar Samal said a detailed discussion was held on law and order at sensitive and hyper-sensitive booths.

The meeting also discussed polling in 126 Maoist-infested blocks, he added.

Elections for 6,805 panchayats and 853 Zilla Parishads will be held, apart from those for electing 92,057 ward members, the official said. (IANS)