The three-tier Panchayat elections in the State, scheduled to be held in five phases, will start on February 16 amid strict adherence to Covid guidelines.
Meanwhile, candidates from all parties have intensified campaigning involving star campaigners. The campaigning will conclude on Monday evening.
As per reports, the State Elections Commission (SEC) has stepped up preparations for the first phase voting of the rural elections.
As many as 67, 51, 000 voters will exercise their franchise across 71 Blocks, 200 Zilla Parishad (ZP) zones, 22379 Wards and 1669 Panchayats.
The polling parties will reach the 11 districts- Balasore, Bhadrak, Khordha, Nayagarh, Puri, Ganjam, Gajapati, Kandhamal, Boudh, Rayagada and Koraput- on Monday and the rest 19 districts on Tuesday.
As per SEC's model code of conduct, no candidate or party leader will be allowed to stay in the poll-bound areas following the culmination of campaigning.
While the first-phase poll-bound districts will conclude campaigning by Monday evening, several star campaigners were seen motivating voters for their candidates.
Ollywood actor Asrumochan Mohanty was seen campaigning for Jagya Hentala, BJP's ZP candidate from Zone 2 of Borigumma Block in Koraput.
"They have stepped in to serve the nation. I wish they continue to serve everyone with their selfless attitude. I would request everyone to make them victorious so that village will progress as well as the nation," said Asrumochan Mohanty.
Chhattisgarh's Excise Minister Kawasi Lakhan campaigned for Congress in Rayagada's Kasipur and Tikiri. Earlier on Saturday, he campaigned for party candidates in Bisamcuttack and Munniguda.
On the other hand, Biju Janata Dal (BJD) has intensified campaigning in Ganjam's Polsara Block. Several Ollywood actors like Tamanna, Poonam and Debashis were seen campaigning with local MLA Srikant Sahoo in ZP zone 38, 39 and 40.
"We have started campaigning for candidates with star campaigners in 18 panchayats under 3 zones. People love CM Naveen Patnaik for his progressive works and this is the reason why supporters in hundreds have come in support," said Srikant Sahoo.
Actress Varsha Priyadarshini was also seen campaigning for a BJD candidate in Brahmapur Panchayat of Bhadrak Block.
The rural elections will be concluded in five phases and the counting of votes will be carried out for three days, commencing on February 26 at the Block headquarters.