Bhubaneshwar: Pipile by-election in Puri District, which was previously postponed three times for different reasons, it will now be held on September 30 as the Indian Election Commission (ECI) on Saturday announced a new schedule.
Vote counting will occur in October 3.
Bypoll to the assembly constituency is needed after death sitting BJD Mla Pradeep Maharathy due to complications related to Covid-19 in October, last year.
Although the election of the old waited was initially scheduled for April 17, it was a reply after the death of Congress Congress Ajit Mangaraj, three days before the date of the scheduled poll.
Although ECI has a permanent date of poll on May 13, again rescheduled until May 16 considering Eid-ul-Fitr.
The polling panel then postponed all elections because of the second wave of Covid-19.
Eci’s source said there would be no new nomination as resolved for the selection of by-election.
While BJD has reduced Rudra Prasad Maharathy, MLA’s son who died to sail through the selection of sympathy factors, Ashrit Pattasayak, who was not successfully contested by the 2019 assembly poll, was a BJP candidate again at Bypoll.
After the death of Mangaraj, the Congress has nominated Bishwokeshan Harichandan Mohapatra as his candidate.
There are seven other candidates in Medan.
The Head of State Election Officer SK Lohani said that since the Covid-19 situation has increased in the state, ECI has consulted the state government and various political parties before issuing a new schedule.
He said the whole process of polls will be completed in October 5.
“Given the third possible third wave of Covid-19, all instructions issued by the ECI will previously apply during the upcoming Bypoll,” Lohani said.
The CEO said the campaign in the indoor hall will be held with a capacity of 30% of the hall or 200 people.
A maximum of 1,000 people can participate in outdoor campaigns, if done by any star campaigner.
In a normal outdoor meeting, a maximum of 500 people can participate.
The district government will divert venues and political parties must take previous permits to hold a meeting at the meeting.
The total number of star praise has been reduced to 20 for national political parties and recognized countries, said Lohani.
“Road shows, motorcycle and bicycles will not be permitted in Covid-19 view.
Maximum 50 people can participate in road meetings by holding the Covid-19 protocol while the maximum of five people including candidates can participate in the door-to-door campaign,” said Lohani.
The political activities that were silent for months had begun again with the new date announcement.
The third party candidate said they were confident to do it well.
While Junior Maharathy said his father’s work for people would help get the blessings of people, Ashrit said the people from the election would never support family politics.
Congress candidate said the mandate would support his party.