Chief Electoral Officer Calls for Cooperation Ahead of Elections, 3.34 crore voters in Odisha

Bhubaneswar: With over 3.34 crore voters set to exercise their franchise, the Chief Electoral Officer of Odisha, Nikunja Bihari Dhal, appealed to political parties for their cooperation in ensuring free and fair elections in the state.

Addressing the media, the CEO announced the immediate enforcement of the Model Code of Conduct (MCC) across Odisha following the election schedule announcement. He emphasized that all provisions of the MCC would apply to candidates, political parties, as well as the state and union governments.

According to the Election Commission of India (ECI) notifications, the elections will be conducted in four phases, scheduled for May 13, May 20, May 25, and June 1 in the state.

Out of the 21 Lok Sabha seats in Odisha, three are reserved for SC and five for ST candidates. Additionally, among the 147 Assembly seats, 24 are reserved for Scheduled Caste and 33 for Scheduled Tribes.

To ensure smooth conduct of the elections, Dhal stated that 30 District Election Officers, 21 Returning Officers (PC), 131 Returning Officers (AC), and 294 Assistant Returning Officers (AC) have been appointed and trained. Moreover, approximately 2.70 lakh polling personnel, including 20 percent reserves, are undergoing training for deployment across polling stations in the state. Each polling station will be manned by a Presiding Officer and five Polling Officers.

Dhal assured that adequate measures have been taken to effectively implement the MCC guidelines, and any violations will be strictly dealt with. He encouraged citizens to report instances of MCC violations using the C-VIGIL App.

Furthermore, Dhal urged all concerned central and state enforcement agencies to monitor and ensure inducement-free elections, particularly regarding cash, liquor, and freebies.

The CEO also engaged in discussions with representatives of various recognized political parties to address various aspects of the upcoming elections, emphasizing the importance of cooperation and adherence to electoral guidelines for a smooth and transparent electoral process in Odisha.