Bhubaneswar, July 21 [UDN}:The Panchayat and Municipal elections in Odisha are likely to be held after the completion of the Census. The State Election Commission is preparing to conduct both elections in April or May 2027, with the two polls expected to be held around the same time.
State Election Commission Secretary Santosh Kumar Dash informed that the official notification for the elections is likely to be issued in the first week of March 2027. The preparations for conducting the elections have already begun, with arrangements being made for EVMs, ballot papers and vehicles.
Meanwhile, political activity has intensified following the publication of the reservation list for the chairperson posts of 35 municipal bodies across the state. The announcement has triggered increased political interest and speculation among aspiring candidates and political parties ahead of the upcoming local body elections.
Notification Expected in the First Week of March
The State Election Commission currently has around 12,000 EVMs available for municipal elections, while an additional 6,000 EVMs have been ordered to meet the requirements of the upcoming polls. In the case of NACs, one polling booth will be arranged for each ward.
The Commission has also completed the necessary arrangements and placed orders for EVMs, ballot papers and vehicles required for conducting the elections smoothly.
Regarding the legal dispute concerning the Sambalpur Municipal Corporation, the State Election Commission Secretary said that the case pending before the Odisha High Court has now been resolved. With the legal issue settled, the Commission is moving ahead with preparations for the upcoming Panchayat and Municipal elections.
The elections are expected to be a major political exercise in Odisha, as both rural and urban local bodies will go to the polls following the completion of the Census process.
Leave a Reply