Bhubaneswar: Pipili Bypoll date rescheduled again to May 16 on account of Eid, informs Odisha Chief Electoral Officer. Earlier, it was scheduled on May 13 following the death of Congress’ candidate Ajit Mangaraj.
The Bye Election to 110-Pipili A.C. was adjourned due to death of Sri Ajit Mangaraj, a candidate of Indian National Congress – a recognized Political Party, on 14-04-2021. On Dt.19-04-2021 Election Commission of India had announced fresh schedule for the Adjourned Poll for 110-Pipili A.C. as follows :
| Poll Events | Schedule |
| Date of Issue of Gazette Notification | 19th April, 2021 (Monday) |
| Last Date of making Nomination | 26th April, 2021 ( Monday) |
| Date of Scrutiny of Nomination | 27th April, 2021 ( Tuesday) |
| Last Date for Withdrawal of candidatures | 29th April, 2021 ( Thursday) |
| Date of Poll if necessary, be taken | 13th May, 2021 (Thursday) |
| Date before which election shall be completed | 18th May, 2021 (Tuesday) |
However, upon consideration of some representation received by Commission regarding celebration of Id-ul-Fitr, again the date of Poll has been amended vide fresh Notification of ECI Dated-21-04-2021. As per revised communication, the dates for Nomination, Scrutiny & withdrawal of Nominations remains unchanged. But the date of Poll has been fixed on 16th May, 2021. The date of Counting is fixed on 19th May,2021. The counting will start at 8.00 a.m. The Election process is going to be over by 21st May,2021.
Poll Hours :
Commission fixes the Poll hours from 07.00 AM to 06.00 PM on the scheduled date of Poll i.e. on 16th May,2021.
Electoral Roll :
The Electoral Roll as freezed earlier till 30th March, 2021 will be used as the Electoral Roll for the Rescheduled adjourned Poll.
Postal Ballot :
No change in the list of Absentee Voters who opted for Postal Ballots can be made. As such the options given for the Postal Ballots for the three categories of Absentee Voters freezed for the Poll on 17th April,2021 will be used for the rescheduled adjourned Poll also.
Guidelines related to COVID-19 :
Election Commission of India has further instructed that No rallies, public meetings, street plays, Nukkad sabhas shall be allowed on any day during the days of Campaign between 7 p.m. and 10 a.m. Further the silence period for Rallies, public meetings, street plays, Nukkad Sabhas, bike rallies or any gathering for campaigning purposes shall be extended to 72 hours before the end of Poll i.e. from 06.00 p.m. on 13th May,2021. Candidates, Political Parties shall ensure absolute adherence to COVID guidelines in letter and spirit. Violations if any shall be sternly dealt with and action including criminal action taken as per extant legal framework.
As per guidelines issued vide order of S.R.C., Odisha Dtd.19-04-2021, No Social/Political/Religious/Academic/meetings/congregations shall be allowed. All these activities are to be encouraged to be conducted on virtual mode. No rallies/Processions of any sorts shall be allowed.
It shall be the responsibility of the organizers of Public meetings, rallies etc to provide of masks and sanitizers to every persons attending these meetings rallies etc. at their own costs which shall be added and counted within limits of prescribed expenditure. Organizers shall also ensure proper usage of masks, sanitizers and also be responsible for maintaining minimum social distance by every one.
District Election Officer and Returning Officer shall take strict measures to enforce COVID guidelines during campaign. They shall cancel public meetings, Rallies etc. if any violations are observed in addition to invoking penal sections. Spl. Observers and General, Police and Expenditure Observers shall strictly monitor compliance of COVID norms during campaign .
The Chief Electoral Officer, Sri S. K. Lohani made an appeal to all the stake holders of the Bye Election to adhere to the guidelines issued by Election Commission of India and the State Govt. from time to time to ensure COVID Safe Bye Election by monitoring the COVID appropriate behaviors strictly.
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