Election was being held for 163 Zilla Parishad seats at 17,089 booths in 1,254 Gram Panchayats under 64 blocks in 27 districts of Odisha
The State Election Commission (SEC), Odisha, Monday relaxed COVID-19 restrictions it had earlier imposed for counting of votes of the panchayat polls.
In the first phase of panchayat elections held on Wednesday, 77.2 per cent polling was recorded
Nearly 35 per cent of 1.06 lakh seats in Odisha panchayat polls were decided uncontested, the State Election Commission (SEC) said on Wednesday. In 36,976 seats, which is 34.77 per cent of 1,06,329, there was only one candidate each, it announced a day after the last date of withdrawal of nominations. Of the 853 Zilla Parishad seats, one was decided uncontested, it said. "Kalpana Pradhan (BJD) declared elected uncontested as Z.P Member, Zone No-2, Ambabhona Block in Bargarh District," the SEC said in a statement. Of the 6,793 Sarpanch posts, 126 were decided uncontested, while 326 of 6,793 Panchayat Samiti seats were declared uncontested. Of total 91,890 ward member posts, 36,523 (39.74 per cent) were decided uncontested, the SEC said. Polling is scheduled to be held in five phases, beginning February 16. The votes will be counted on February 26, 27 and 28 at block offices. Only Zilla Parishad members contest the panchayat elections with party symbols in Odisha.
The State Election Commission (SEC), Odisha, Monday asked the district collector of Bolangir to submit a report on the alleged auction of the post of Sarpanch in Bilesarda gram panchayat.
Odisha's Congress and Samajwadi Party (SP) have asserted that there is a need to first implement the OBC quota before holding panchayat polls.
Ahead of the panchayat polls, the Odisha government amended three laws to punish candidates who provide false information in the affidavit filed for the rural elections.
The State Election Commission (SEC) of Odisha has issued the Model Code of Conduct to be followed by the candidates and the parties during the upcoming three-tier panchayat polls.
Announcement of names of winning ward members and sarpanches will be made on Thursday