Odisha Panchayat Polls Guidelines to be issued soon; Opp demands postponement

Bhubaneswar: Amid uncertainty over the schedule for Panchayat Elections in Odisha due to the COVID-19 situation, State Election Commissioner (SEC) Aditya Prasad Padhi today said guidelines for conducting the upcoming polls will be issued soon.

The SEC had convened an all-party meeting regarding the Panchayat Elections. After the conclusion of the meeting, Padhi said a discussion was held with the representatives of all political parties over the possibility of the polls amid COVID situation.

“The Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) has already issued guidelines on the conduct of assembly elections in several states. We are framing similar guidelines to ensure free, fair and safe elections in the state. The guidelines will be issued soon,” the official said.

Opposition BJP and Congress demanded postponement of the polls over the COVID-19 situation while BJD opined for conducting the elections without any delay.

In a related development, Bharatiya Vikas Parishad organisation today moved the Orissa High Court seeking deferment of the Panchayat Elections in Odisha citing the ongoing pandemic situation.