Bhubaneswar: The State Election Commission (SEC) is unlikely to notify the date of the poll for the three-level Panica selection in Odisha in a hurry.
It will be waiting for the Election Commission (EC) to notify the assembly poll for five of Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Punjab, Manipur and Goa and review the state omikron situation before deciding on the date of the poll.
The SEC previously planned to tell the date around this weekend.
Note, Commissioner of the State Election of Aditya Prasad Padhi said the Commission has maintained a watch close to Omicron.
“We will make a decision at the right time to maintain the best interests of people,” he said.
Sources, however, said the situation changed considering the surge in new variants cases had put the SEC in a wait-and-watch mode.
“There is anticipation that Omicron can peak in February.
In such situations, it might not be wise to hold a poll in February,” another SEC senior official said.
At the same time, there is also an observation that omicron infection may be mild unlike the second wave.
“Let the ECI receive a call assembly call scheduled for the first half of this year, which will bring more clarity about the situation.
In addition, one more week of up to 10 days will also give an idea of the possibility of an Omicron scenario for the next month when the poll is planned , “he said.
SEC has planned to hold the district collector and SPS meetings about the behavior of rural polls in LokSeva Bhawan on January 12 in offline mode.
“If the Covid case surets further, the meeting can switch to online mode or can be postponed,” said the person in the SEC.
Omicron’s shadow in the election of Panchayat
