Bishwokeshan Harichandan Named Congress Candidate For Pipili Bypoll

Bhubaneswar: Bishwokeshan Harichandan Mohapatra has been named as the Congress candidate for the by-election to Pipili Assembly constituency in Puri district.

The Congress President, Sonia Gandhi, has approved the candidature of Bishwokeshan Harichandan Mohapatra as Congress candidate for the ensuing adjourned bye-election to the Odisha Legislative Assembly from 110 — Pipili Constituency,” read a press release issued by the All India Congress Committee.

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Congress President Sonia Gandhi names Bishwokeshan Harichandan Mohapatra as party’s candidate for Pipili Bypoll

— OTV (@otvnews) April 23, 2021

The crucial bypoll to Pipili seat is scheduled for May 16. The bypoll which was necessitated following the death of sitting BJD MLA Pradeep Maharathy was initially scheduled for April 17. However, it was countermanded following the death of Congress nominee, Ajit Mangaraj (52), due to Covid-19 on April 14, just three days ahead of the scheduled poll date.

Later, the Odisha Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) rescheduled the bypoll to May 13. However, the Election Commission once again rescheduled the by-election to May 16 in view of Eid al-Fitr.

As per the announcement of CEO Sushil Lohani, the voting in the Pipili constituency will be conducted on May 16 and the counting of votes will be held on May 19. The whole election process will be completed by May 21.

As the by-election will be held amid the Covid-19 pandemic, the ECI has issued several guidelines for the conduct of the poll. The election campaign will now end 72 hours before the close of polls instead of earlier 48 hours. It implies that the poll campaign will end in Pipili from May 13 evening, said Lohani.

Similarly, the ECI has banned political rallies and meetings. Political parties can hold campaign through virtual mode. Maximum five persons will be allowed for door-to-door campaign.