Bhubaneswar: State Election Commission (SEC), Odisha will be revising some of its earlier issued guidelines for implementation of Covid rules during the upcoming General Election to Panchayati Raj Institutions (PRIs) in the State.
The decision was taken after State Election Commissioner Aditya Prasad Padhi’s meeting with the Chief Secretary, DG Police, other senior officers of the State government, and all Collectors, and SPs today.
“We had a detailed discussion on how Covid-19 guidelines will be implemented at every stage of the election. Implementation of Covid guidelines at different stages from nomination stage, scrutiny, at the time of campaigning, at dispersal centers, at the time of polling, and at the time of counting was discussed. The opinion of Collectors was also taken. Based on that we will be revising a few guidelines,” informed Padhi briefing reporters after the meeting.
Padhi said that today’s meeting was held in two sessions. The first session was attended by Chief Secretary, DG Police, ACS Health, ACS Home, and other senior officers and Collectors.
“In the second session in the presence of the DG Police, ADG (Law & Order) we held discussions with Collectors, SPs, Range IGs, Range DIGs, and RDCs on all stages of the election. Every Collector and SP gave their opinion on every stage of the election,” Padhi further informed.
The Commissioner said that he is hopeful that after today’s meeting Collectors and SPs will remain more focused on the issue of the election.
“Filing of nomination will begin from 17th and the entire election process will continue for the next one and half months,” Padhi stated.
