Odisha Panchayat Polls: Voting for Sarpanch post in Jashapada of Cuttack suspended, See why

Cuttack: An hour after the three-tier Panchayat Election in Odisha, the voting for the Sarpanch post in Jashapada panchayat of Cuttack has been suspended today.

Reportedly, a Sarpanch candidate, identified as Namita Behera, of Jashapada panchayat has died late on Tuesday night due to which the voting has been suspended.

However, polling for other posts to continue as scheduled, informed the Presiding Officer of Koshida Booth in Jashapada. He also said that the SEC will decide regarding when the election will take place for the Sarpanch post in Jashapada.

The voting has begun at 7 am and it will continue till 1 pm in three blocks including Narsinghpur, Cuttack Sadar and, Mahanga. The polls will be held in five phases on February 16, 18, 20, 22, and 24.

More than 67.51 lakh eligible voters will cast their votes for the candidates fighting for the position of Zilla Parishad members, sarpanches, Panchayat Samiti members, and ward members in Odisha.

The voting will be carried out at 22,379 wards and 1,669 panchayats across the state, added reports. As many as 3,357 have been identified as sensitive in the first phase.

At the time of polling, each voter is required to produce an Electors Photo Identity Card (EPIC) or any of the 13 other ID proofs approved by the State Election Commission.

Notably, the Covid positive voters will be allowed to cast their votes during the last hour of polling with strict adherence to coronavirus protocols.