Odisha Municipal Election: Last day for filing of nomination papers

Bhubaneswar: The first step for Odisha Municipal Elections of filing of nomination papers will come to an end today. The eligible candidates have been filing the nomination papers from March 2, 2022.

Reportedly, the Biju Janata Dal (BJD), Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), and Congress parties have been seeing a rise in the list of candidates. The names of mayor, corporator, and councilor have been announced by the three parties.

As of last evening, 189 candidates had filed nominations for various municipal chairpersons and mayors posts in the state. Similarly, 1,918 candidates have filed nominations for the posts of corporator and councilor.

The municipal elections will be held in 106 Urban Local Bodies. The Mayor and Chairperson will be elected directly for the first time. Only 189 candidates have been nominated for these posts.

It is to be noted that the scrutiny of the nomination papers will be held on March 9, 2022 following which the candidates can withdraw their nomination up to March 14, 2022.

There will be 3,030 booths in 1,731 wards of 106 Urban Local Bodies where more than Rs 27 lakhs people will cast their votes.

Similarly, there are 168 wards in the three municipal corporations which will have 1,407 booths where 17,000 people will cast their votes.

Adding to it, the candidates are required to submit two affidavits this time including a list of educational qualifications and assets while the other affidavit will have information about the family.

The voting for Councillor and Corporator posts will be held through Electronic voting machines (EVM) in the upcoming Municipal Elections. Each booth will be provided with two EVMs. There will be one EVM for the posts of Councillor and Corporator while another for Mayor and Chairperson.