The Pioneer 22.10.2013
Polls in 22 W Odisha ULBs scheduled on Nov 22
Polling to the 342 wards would be held on November 22 and counting of votes and poll results would be announced on November 23. While the elections to the posts of chairmen would be held on December 4, those for vice-chairmen would be conducted on December 30, State Election Commissioner Ajit Kumar Triapthy said.
The model code of conduct has come into force with immediate effect in the limits of the concerned ULBs with the issuance of the notification and would remain in force till completion of the elections on November 23.
The formal process of election would start with issue of a notice by the concerned Election Officers on October 25, following which candidates can file nominations between October 28 and November 1. Scrutiny of papers would be conducted on November 4 while withdrawal of nomination papers and publication of list of contesting candidates would take place on November 7. The entire poll process would be over by November 24.
The SEC decided not to hold elections for the Sambalpur Municipality, Hirakud NAC and Rourkela Municipality as there is a proposal for formation of Sambalpur and Rourkela Municipal Corporations, said Tripathy.
The SEC had announced the poll date to 91 ULBs, including one Municipal Corporation (Brahmapur) on August 12. But the elections to 25 ULBs in western Odisha were postponed on August 30 in the face of the lawyers’ strike opposing the polls till a High Court Bench was not established in the region.
The fresh poll schedule has been made in respect of 22 ULBs in consultation with the concerned district Collectors and the State Government, Tripathy said.
Voting would be conducted through EVMs at 669 booths and an estimated 6,07,715 voters would exercise their franchise. While 50 per cent of the seats would be reserved for women candidates, the SEBC would get 27 per cent reservation.
As per the poll code, no new projects of any kind would be started nor would any financial concession be announced by the Government or any official agency which may affect voters. No Minister, MP and MLA would spend nights at any Government bungalow.
