The Pioneer              13.08.2013

Sep 19 declared as municipal election date

As per the schedule, polling will be held on September 19 and counting of ballots is scheduled for September 20. While notification for filling of nomination will be issued on August 16, the candidates can file their nominations between August 20 and 24. The nominations will be scrutinised on August 26 and the final list of candidates will be declared on August 29.  

"With the announcement of the dates for the polls, the model code of conduct came into to force with immediate effect. The State Government has been barred from announcing new plans and schemes till the election process is completed. Similarly, the Union Government has also intimated not to declare any Odisha specific schemes and plans during the period," said SEC Ajit Kumar Tripathy, adding that, all relief and rehabilitation programmes can be continued. However, Tripathy made it clear that people from jail can contest in the elections.

Besides, Brahmapur Municipal Corporation (BMC), the elections will be held in 32 Municipalities and 58 Notified Area Councils (NACs). The tenure of these ULBs will expire on September 30.

As many as 27.56 lakh voters of 1,569 wards will cast their vote in 3,010 booths. While 50 per cent seats were reserved for the women candidates, 27 per cent seats were reserved for OBCs. Last time, elections were held in 1,553 wards in these local bodies.

As per the model code of conduct, no contestants belonging to any political parties can deliver speech which would hurt the religious sentiments of a particular community. Sticking or hanging posters and banners mentioning names of aspirants and symbols are restricted on the walls of schools, colleges and any Government offices. The candidates might be barred to contest if they resort to violence in order to spread fear among voters.

No loudspeakers would be allowed for the campaign at night between 8 pm and 7 am, while the use of similar means of campaigning would be completely stopped 48 hours before the polls.

The candidates are restricted to criticise their rivals pertaining to issues on personal lives and holding any meeting or campaign in front any house and Government office.

No Ministers, MPs and MLAs would spend night at any Government inspection bungalow and circuit houses during the code of conduct in force. However, such regulation would not be valid for the leaders enjoying Z category security.

Tripathy said, "Elections to the Bhubaneswar and Cuttack Municipal Corporation would be held before December and January respectively before their tenure expires."

The Hindu              13.08.2013

Polls to 91 local bodies on September 19

Special Correspondent

Polls to be held in 32 municipalities, 58 notified area councils (NACs) and Municipal Corporation of Berhampur

Elections to 91 urban local bodies in the State will be held on September 19, the Odisha State Election Commission announced on Monday.

Briefing presspersons about the election schedule, State Election Commissioner Ajit Kumar Tripathy said that the election process would be completed with the election of nominees for the vice-chairmen’s posts on October 22.

Nomination papers for the posts of councillors and corporators will be filed from August 20 to 24.

Code of conduct

The model code of conduct would remain effective from August 16 till October 22, Mr. Tripathy said. It will also be applicable for the areas close to the jurisdictions of the 91 urban local bodies.

Announcement of programmes, policy and projects that were likely to influence the voters in urban areas will be prohibited, Mr. Tripathy added.

The relief and rescue operation during natural calamities, if required, would continue or start despite the model code of conduct being in force.

Mr. Tripathy also informed that the Centre had been informed not to announce any Odisha-specific programme and project which would influence the voters in the urban polls.

The elections would be held in 32 municipalities, 58 notified area councils (NACs) and the Municipal Corporation of Berhampur.

The counting of votes would be undertaken on September 20 and election for chairman’s posts would be conducted on September 30.