Odisha ULB Elections-2022: Notification for BMC Polls out

Bhubaneswar: As scheduled, the notification for Bhubaneswar Municipal Corporation (BMC) Elections-2022 was released today.

The BMC released the notification for the civic body polls scheduled on March 24, 2022.

As per the notification, the candidates can file nomination papers between 11 am and 3 pm from March 2 to 7, 2022. The nominations will be scrutinized on March 9, 2022 and list of eligible candidates will be released on March 10, 2022.

The candidates can withdraw their nominations by 3 pm on March 14 and the final list of candidates will be published at 5 pm on the same day.

The elections to corporator and mayor posts are scheduled to begin from 8 am to 5 pm on March 24. The counting of votes will be held from 8 am on March 26, 2022. The names of Mayor and Corporators elected in the polls will be declared on March 29, 2022.

A meeting chaired by the newly elected Mayor will be held on March 31 for Deputy Mayor election scheduled on April 8, 2022.

“While the model code of conduct for the civic body polls is in force since February 25, 2022, it will continue till March 26, 2022. Necessary steps have been taken for smooth conduct of elections with strict observance of the model code of conduct,” informed BMC Additional Commissioner Lakshmikanta Sethi.

The BMC polls will be held for 67 wards at 705 booths in Bhubaneswar.

Last week, the State Election Commission (SEC) had announced dates for the forthcoming ULB polls in 3 municipal corporations — Bhubaneswar, Berhampur and Cuttack; 47 municipalities and 59 NACs in Odisha.

For the first time, Mayor/Chairman will be elected directly by people. The voters will be allowed to use NOTA option on EVM in the polls.