HC directs SEC to hold Zilla Parishad election in Malkangiri

Bhubaneswar: The Orissa High Court, on Monday, directed the State Election Commission (SEC) to conduct Zilla Parishad president election in Malkangiri.

The HC ordered to hold elections in 18 gram panchayats of Chitrakonda I & II zones  in the district. Of the 13 Zilla Parishad zones in Malkangiri, elections to the two zones are yet to be conducted.

The SEC had earlier stayed elections to the two ZP zones of Chitrakonda block after receiving a joint report from the district collector and superintendent of police to put on hold polls in the block citing safety issues of the candidates, voters and officials engaged in election duty.

While BJP captured 10 ZP zones, BJD managed to win just one seat in the district in the polls held over five phases.