Bhubaneswar: The State Election Commission (SEC), Odisha, aims to complete the panchayat election process by April next year and elections to urban local bodies (ULBs) by May 2027, with preparations for both polls underway in full swing.
State Election Commissioner Madhusudan Padhi said the draft electoral roll is targeted to be published on January 1, 2027, while the final voter list is expected to be ready by February 15.
Speaking to a local television channel here, Padhi said the SEC is conducting a door-to-door survey to prepare a clean and error-free electoral roll ahead of the elections. The survey, which is being conducted in the state for the first time, will continue until November 7.
He said special emphasis is being laid on ensuring that all eligible voters belonging to a family are allotted the same polling booth.
While the survey is progressing smoothly in rural areas, the Commission is facing difficulties in collecting voter data in urban areas, particularly in apartment complexes. In some places, voters are also not cooperating with survey personnel, he added.
In view of disruptions caused by the recent cyclone and floods, the survey period has been extended by two weeks in Ganjam district and one week each in Gajapati and Kandhamal districts.
