Bhubaneswar: Chief Electoral Officer R. S. Gopalan has informed regarding the preparations for the Nuapada bypoll, necessitated by the demise of sitting MLA Rajendra Dholakia. The by-poll is set to take place on November 11, with vote counting scheduled for November 14.
Addressing the media following the Election Commission of India’s (ECI) announcement of the by-election schedule, Gopalan highlighted the robust electoral framework being put in place for the tribal-dominated constituency. “We are committed to ensuring every eligible voter in Nuapada has seamless access to the democratic process,” he stated.
He informed that a total of 2,48,000 voters – comprising men, women, and persons with disabilities – are expected to exercise their franchise in this crucial contest. This figure reflects the finalized electoral roll, published on October 9 after a rigorous Special Summary Revision (SSR) exercise conducted under the Representation of the People Act, 1950, with July 1, 2025, as the qualifying date. Gopalan urged eligible citizens who may have missed the initial draft publication on September 15 to act swiftly.
“Voters can still add or update their names in the electoral roll until October 10,” he informed, adding that claims and objections were disposed of by October 7 to facilitate timely inclusions. The SSR process involved close coordination with political parties, including meetings held on September 15 where soft copies of the ballot paper lists were shared with representatives from the BJP, BJD, Congress, and others.
To boost accessibility, particularly in the constituency’s 36 urban and 322 rural areas, the number of polling stations has been expanded from 302 to 358. This includes the addition of 56 new booths and the renaming of 52 existing ones, aimed at reducing travel distances for remote voters.
In a bid to enhance transparency and curb any potential malpractices, webcasting will be implemented across all 358 polling stations. This real-time video streaming initiative, in line with ECI guidelines, will allow oversight from control rooms and party agents, ensuring a fair electoral environment.
