Bhubaneswar: The Odisha State Election Commission (SEC) has started preparations for the upcoming Panchayat and Urban Local Body (ULB) elections, which are likely to be held in April-May next year after the completion of the national Census process, SEC Secretary Santosh Kumar Dash said on Saturday.
He said the Commission is gearing up for the local body elections and plans to issue the official notification in March, subject to the completion of the Census.
“The Commission has already started preparations for the elections. The schedule will be finalised after the completion of the Census process,” Dash said.
The SEC has begun groundwork following the publication of the draft reservation list for chairperson posts in Urban Local Bodies. The Commission will undertake further election-related activities after the reservation process is finalised.
The electoral roll revision exercise is scheduled to begin in October, while the election notification is expected to be issued in March. The Commission is planning to conduct the Panchayat and municipal elections simultaneously in April-May.
The SEC has made arrangements to meet the requirements for the polls. It currently has around 12,000 Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) for municipal elections and has placed an order for an additional 6,000 machines.
A door-to-door survey will also be conducted after the finalisation of the reservation list. In Notified Area Councils (NACs), each ward will have one polling booth to ensure smooth and hassle-free voting.
The Commission has also initiated the procurement of ballot papers for EVMs and started logistical preparations, including the hiring of vehicles for election duties.
