Process for panchayat polls begins in 25 districts

Bhubaneswar: The State Election Commission (SEC) has begun the process for the ensuing panchayat polls in 25 districts of Odisha.

A meeting to this effect was convened by the SEC here today in which the Panchayat Extension Officers (PEOs) were present.

Talking to media persons after the meeting, SEC secretary Rabindranath Sahu said the meeting discussed about formation of 603 new panchayats of which the process for inclusion of 415 new panchayats in the election has been finalised.

“Though the state government has decided to create 188 new panchayats in five districts viz., Balasore, Kalahandi, Nuapada, Kandhamal and Bargarh district, it cannot take the decision to include these new panchayats at the matter is sub judice. The government is waiting for the verdict of the court after which it will take a final decision”, Sahu added.

He also said the meeting had a thorough discussion on finalisation of police stations and vacant posts of officials dealing with election matters in each district.

Sahu further said the SEC took details regarding identification of polling booths, the number of booths in each ward and other equipments like ballot boxes and trunks used in the election from the PEOs.

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“Keeping the problems and troubles the polling officials had faced in the last panchayat polls, the meeting discussed about the measures to be taken to ensure that such troubles will not occur in the ensuing election which is scheduled in February next year”, Sahu pointed out.

There are a total of 6211 panchayats in Odisha. With the creation of 603 panchayats the total number of panchayats in the state will go up to 6814.