Odisha Panchayat Election

The villagers, who boycotted the polls, have been facing information blockade due to lack of cellular connectivity in absence of a mobile network

In an exclusive interview to OTV, IG (Southern Range) Satyabrata Bhoi said already clear instructions have been issued to the Superintendent of Police to keep a close watch on the incidents of violence.

While the police are yet to nab the attackers, the law and order situation in the district seems to be deteriorating.

The directive came in the backdrop of reports of alleged auction of the Sarpanch post for Rs 44,000 at Bileisarda village under Puintala block of Bolangir district.

After not receiving any satisfactory answers from the Election Officer, the villagers locked up him before staging a demonstration,

On the third day of nomination filing for the upcoming panchayat polls, Odisha saw an interesting episode unfold in Puri district. It indeed was an unusual sight for many when a third year B.Tech student reached Sub-Collector’s office to file nomination for the post of Zilla Parishad member.

As per the guidelines of the SEC, either the candidate or one proposer can enter the election officer's office and maintain proper social distancing while filing the nomination papers. Only one vehicle is allowed for the purpose of filing a nomination.

The SEC has directed officials to ensure that liquor is neither sold or served at hotel, nor distributed in the region where the voting will take place

The villagers complained that lack of mobile connectivity has deprived them from availing timely healthcare and online studies of children

But the important fact is that all the turncoats were administered oath in the name of God by district president Bibhuti Balabantaray. 

The State Election Commission (SEC) today revised the scale of payment of ex-gratia and compensation amounts in case of deaths and injuries due to any violent act of anti-socials in road mines, bomb blast and Covid-19 during election duty. 

The bizarre incident of a Sarpanch aspirant getting herself out of the fray within 24 hours of filing nomination papers has raised many eye brows. 

Under no circumstances, should the occasion become a platform for political campaign or for highlighting the achievements of the State Government, the State Election Commission (SEC), Odisha emphasised.

Tension erupted at Guma village of Belghar area in Kandhamal district after the supporters of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and the Biju Janata Dal (BJD) clashed over the selection of the Samiti member candidate.

Prashant Jagdev attended a Mishrana Parva organised at the BJD State Headquarters for the formal induction of BJP leader and Chilika Block Chairman Jharana Barik into the regional party. 

The State Election Commission on Tuesday recommended the suspension of a college principal, along with a sub-divisional police officer (SDPO), for allegedly violating model code of conduct.

If a polling personnel dies due to Covid-19 during election duty, the family of the deceased will get Rs 30 lakh compensation, while cashless medical treatment will be provided if a polling official gets infected with the coronavirus, the notification stated.

As many as 8772 candidates have filed their nominations for the three-tier elections to the Panchayati Raj bodies in Odisha on Monday, on the first day of the nomination filing process.

Sushant Kumar Chhatria reportedly won the bid by pledging to donate Rs 44,000 for development of Jagannath temple at Bileisarda village under Puintala block of Bolangir district. 

In the viral video that is doing the rounds on social media, a political meeting was seen being organised on the premises of Tarini Mahavidyalaya (college) at Mahakalpada in Kendrapara district. Hundreds of people were seen present in the meeting. 

Candidates can file their nominations for Sarpanchs, Samiti members and Zilla Parishad member posts from January 17 to January 21 while the scrutiny of the nomination papers will be done on January 22.

Between 2017 - 2022, the two political constants in Odisha - CM Naveen Patnaik and PM Narendra Modi - remain. Controversies hit Naveen more than PM Modi. Beneficiaries hold the key

Nodal officers will be appointed in all the districts to enforce the Covid-19 protocols and model code of conduct at all polling stations

Around 2.79 crore voters across the State will exercise their franchise to elect 91,913 Ward members, 6,794 Sarpanchs, 6,793 Panchayat Samiti members, and 853 Zilla Parishad members. The voting will commence at 7 am and continue till 1 pm.

As per reports, the supporters of the Thakurmunda Block president, Prashant Kumar Behera and the Karanjia MLA, Basanti Hembram got into a heated exchange of words at the party office which culminated in a scuffle.