HC stays ZP chairman election in Malkangiri, Nuapada dists

Bhubaneswar: The Orissa High Court on Friday issued a stay order on the Zilla Parishad chairman elections in Malkangiri and Nuapada districts till further order.

The HC order came following an appeal by a ZP candidate of Malkangiri district not to hold the elections for ZP chairman posts as polling could not be conducted in two and one zones in Malklangiri and Nuapada dists, respectively.

Sources said polls were not held in ZP zone number 7 and 8 of Chitrakonda in Malkangiri due to Maoist threats. Similarly, polling was not conducted in 2-Komna ZP seat in Nuapada district following a high court order.

“Since polls were not held in two zones of Malkangiri district, I had prayed the High Court to direct the State Election Commission not to conduct the ZP chairman election in the district. The High Court has ordered in favour of me,” said Chitrakonda ZP candidate Tiburam Tangulu.

An official of the district administration said that they have received the High Court order and take the necessary steps accordingly.