Odisha Sun Times Bureau
Bhubaneswar, Jun 5:

The State Election Commission (SEC) today said that it is yet to receive the data on number of wards and reservation of seats from Panchayati Raj Department for upcoming panchayat polls.

Odisha State Election Commission (2)

With the polls inching closer, even though the commission has started the preparation, the delay in receiving the data is causing unnecessary hindrance, said Secretary of the Commission Rabindra Sahoo.

“The State Election Commission (SEC) had asked the department to submit the data on number of wards and reservation of seats on or before May 31. The records, however, are yet to be submitted. We would write them a letter again asking them to furnish the data as soon as possible,” said Sahoo speaking to reporters today.

The Department, on the other hand, clarified that they are working on formation of new panchayats.

The government aims at creating 500 new panchayats before the polls scheduled to be held next year. The data would be submitted before SEC once the work is over, said a senior official of the department.

It may be mentioned here that the voter list would be prepared after SEC receives the data.