Bhubaneswar: In view of the serious devastation caused by the extremely severe cyclonic storm Fani in coastal Odisha, the Election Commission of India has decided to extend the completion of the elections from 96 Patkura Assembly Constituency for 60 days, informed the Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) in a statement here on Monday.
“The poll will be suitably decided after assessing the local situation,” the statement added.
The ECI had earlier fixed May 19 as the date for the polling in Patkura assembly segment following the demise of BJD candidate Bed Prakash Agarwalla on April 20.
As per the original schedule, the polling in Patkura was supposed to be held in the fourth phase on April 29.
The ruling BJD has fielded Sabitri Agarwalla, wife of late Bed Prakash Agarwalla, for Patkura Assembly seat.
The BJP has already named its veteran leader Bijoy Mohapatra from Patkura while Congress has named Jayant Mohanty as its nominee for the Assembly seat.
Sources said, at least 34 people were killed during Cyclone ‘Fani’, which caused widespread destruction and left hundreds grappling with water shortage and power cut in affected areas including the State capital, Bhubaneswar.
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Ms Kalinga