KalingaTV News Network
Bhubaneswar: Putting all speculation to rest, Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) of Odisha DN Gupta on Saturday clarified that the Election Commission (EC) of India will take its decision on Bijepur by-election in the next few days.
“As per the norms of the Commission, the elections are to be held within six months of the vacancy of the post. The Election Commission is examining all the issues including the court’s petition. Keeping all the issues in mind, the Commission will be taking the decision in the next few days about the upcoming by-election for Bijepur constituency in Bargarh district,” Gupta said while speaking to the newsmen today at his office.
The Chief Electoral Officer of the state also made it clear that their office has completed all the preparatory works and has apprised the Election Commission of India about the forthcoming school examinations and festivals which are to occur in the state in the next two months.
“We have done the preparatory work at our level and Bargarh district administration is also aware of it. They have been asked to take necessary actions as per the guidelines of the Commission. While taking decision for announcing the date of the by-poll, the Commission will look into various aspects like any pending election petition, the exams and festivals which may be held in the next two months. We have apprised them about the forthcoming examinations and they are aware of it,” he added.
The Bijepur constituency fell vacant following the untimely death of Congress MLA Subal Sahu on August 22, 2017.
The by-election in the constituency has become a major political agenda in the state politics with joining and leaving of leaders from BJP, Congress and BJD.
While Subal’s family members joined BJD, former Bijepur MLA and BJD leader Ashok Panigrahi jumped to BJP. He had quit the ruling party after it named Congress legislator Subal Sahu’s widow Rita Sahu as the candidate for the by-poll.
Similarly, BJP’s Bargarh District President Narayan Sahu resigned from his post on Tuesday to join BJD on December 3.
Kalinga AI