BhubaneswarPublished: Aug 30, 2023 at 12:46:46 am
Elections to the Lok Sabha and the Legislative Assemblies of some states should be held as per their schedule. But political parties, especially the BJP and the Congress, are predicting that Odisha may also go to polls later this year along with five other states. As per the schedule, the next election to the 147-member Odisha Assembly should be held before June in 2024, while the Lok Sabha elections should be held in May.
Leaders claim elections may be held ahead of time
Stir in political parties in Odisha as well
Bhubaneswar. Elections to the Lok Sabha and the Legislative Assemblies of some states should be held as per their schedule. But political parties, especially the BJP and the Congress, are predicting that Odisha may also go to polls later this year along with five other states. As per the schedule, the next election to the 147-member Odisha Assembly should be held before June in 2024, while the Lok Sabha elections should be held in May. After Bengal CM Mamta Banerjee, Bihar CM Nitish Kumar has claimed that the Lok Sabha elections can be held ahead of time.
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Commission team will come on tour
A team of the Election Commission (EC) will visit Odisha on September 13 to review the poll preparedness. The visit has fueled speculation that the assembly elections in the state may be held ahead of schedule. However, Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) Nikunj Bihari Dhall said on Tuesday that the commission’s team’s visit had nothing to do with the early elections. The three major political parties of the state – Biju Janata Dal, BJP and Congress – asserted that they are ready for elections in the state whenever it is held.
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Meeting with all District Magistrates on 13th September
The Election Commission team will hold a meeting with all the District Magistrates on 13 September. EVMs and VVPATs will be checked in October and the process will be completed by November 15. This process or the state visit of the ECI team has nothing to do with the early elections.
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ready for election at any time
Union minister Dharmendra Pradhan was among the first leaders from the state to say in recent days that the ruling BJD may seek early elections in the state. BJP MLA Mukesh Mahaling also said that his party is fully prepared for elections any time. Elections were held in the state ahead of schedule in 2004.
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no comment on speculation
BJD leaders have not commented on speculations related to early elections. However, he said that he is ready for elections any time. The state government has launched several welfare schemes ahead of the next year’s elections. BJD MLA DS Mishra said that there is no need for us to panic as the people of Odisha are with Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik.