5-phase Panchayat polls announced by State Election Commissioner, Aditya Padhi

Bhubaneswar: Panchayat polls in Odisha to be held in five phases as announced by the State Election Commissioner, Aditya Padhi on Tuesday.

The Panchayat Polling dates as announced by the SEC are as follows: Feb 16, Feb 18, Feb 20, Feb 20 and Feb 23

Feb 16: 30 districts, 1616 GPs, 71 blocks
Feb 18: 30 districts, 68 blocks, 1514 GPs
Feb 20: 29 districts, 1382 GPs
Feb 22: 1254 GPs, 27 districts
Feb 25: 935 GPs, 25 districts

It is noteworthy that, the duration of polling has been extended for 1 more hour that is till 1 pm.

The other regulations specified by the SEC are as follows:

1. No public meeting, roadshows, street meetings during Panchayat Polls, says State Election Commissioner Aditya Prasad Padhi.
2. Only Door to door campaign allowed.
3. Relaxations allowed if situation improves added the SEC.
4. Polling to take place from 7 am to 1 pm.
5. Nomination filing Jan 17 to Jan 21.
6. All polling staff to be doubly vaccinated.
7. Pregnant women, Covid symptomatic persons not to be engaged in poll duty.
8. COVID-positive patients can submit nominations through proposer.
9. Only 1 vehicle allowed for nomination filing

The model code of conduct shall come into effect from today and will be in force till February 28 2022, informs State Election Commissioner Aditya Prasad Padhi.

The Counting of votes and declaration of results shall be done from Feb 26, 27, 28.