Odisha Panchayat Polls: Ailing Sarpanch Candidate In Bargarh Dies; Voting Postponed 

Polling for the Sarpanch post at Kelendapali Panchayat under Bhatli Block in Bargarh district has been postponed due to the sudden death of a Sarpanch candidate, informed the Sub-Collector, Bargarh on Tuesday.

The deceased Sarpanch candidate has been identified as Saroj Seth, a resident of Kanakbira village under Kelendapali Panchayat. Sources said Seth, a cancer patient, had been undergoing treatment at the SCB Medical College and Hospital (SCBMCH) for some days. While receiving treatment, he breathed his last on Monday night.   

Informing about the development, Sub-Collector, Bargarh, Subhendra Kumar Samal on Tuesday said that voting for Sarpanch post in the constituency has been postponed. 

"A Sarpanch candidate from Kelendapali Panchayat, Saroj Seth breathed his last last night while undergoing treatment at SCBMCH, Cuttack. We received the sad news this morning. Because of his sudden demise, polling for the Sarpanch post has resultantly been postponed. However, voting for other posts like Ward member, Samiti member and Zilla Parishad will be held on the notified dates," said Samal. 

Notably, voting for the three-tier Panchayati Raj bodies in Odisha will begin tomorrow. Thereafter, it will be held on every alternate day in four phases, ending on February 24. The polling will commence at 7 am and continue till 1 pm on the mentioned days.