**Bhubaneswar: ** Stage is all set for the much-awaited D-day, three-tier Panchayat Polls in Odisha, slated to begin from February 13 in five phases.
However, the first phase will cover only 29 districts out of the total 30 districts in the State as announced by the State Election Commission (SEC) on Saturday.
Deogarh district’s turn is not on the first and second phases, SEC sources said.
Briefing media, Rabindra Nath Sahu, Secretary, State Election Commission said, The first phase Panchayat election, i.e. on February 13 will be conducted in 29 districts. While 58,28,000 voters will exercise their franchise on the day, polling will be held for 189 Zilla Parishad (ZP) zones, 1,506 Gram Panchayats (GPs) and 20,369 wards.”
“Elaborate arrangements have already been made in the respective districts going for the polls. Training of polling parties has already been held and they will be reporting their respective booths on time.”
As instructed much earlier to the respective district administrations, sale of liquor in any respect, both foreign made brands and country made, will be banned 48 hours before the polling date and even after 24 hours after the poll.
No poll campaign from February 11 evening onwards.
Outsider political leaders, except being a bona fide voter of the area, should be allowed to stay put there.
Notably, the five-phase polling dates are on February 13, 15, 17, 19 and 21.
