EC to announce Bijepur bypoll dates after Jan 20

Bhubaneswar: The date for the bypoll in Bijepur constituency will be announced after January 20, informed Joint Chief Electoral Officer of Odisha Bhabani Prasad Ray today.

The deadline for finalisation of voter list for Bijepur constituency has been extended to January 20, he said adding that the list for rest 146 constituencies will be prepared by February.

Earlier on January 4, Advisor to Election Commission (EC) Bhagban Prakash had said the EC will announce dates for the bypoll within the stipulated time frame, as per the rules.

The Bijepur bypoll was necessitated by the death of three-time Congress MLA Subal Sahu on August 22, 2017. As per the prescribed rule, the bypoll should be held within six months of the post lying vacant.  However, in case of any pending petition challenging the election of a legislator, the six-month duration is considered from the date of the disposal of the case.

The Orissa High Court had on October 16, 2017 concluded hearing of the petition filed by BJD leader Prasanna Acharya challenging the election of late Bijepur MLA Subal Sahu.

https://youtu.be/6o25GpjZ7G4