Bhubaneswar, May 21 (UNI) The Odisha State Election Commission has issued a notification to conduct panchayat by-elections on June 23 across the state.
The bypolls aim to elect 43 sarpanches and 272 ward members in various districts.
These by-elections have been necessitated due to vacancies arising from deaths, resignations, disqualifications, or the de-reservation of reserved seats owing to the unavailability of eligible candidates.
Collectors from Balasore, Boudh, Gajapati, Jharsuguda, Kandhamal, Kendrapara, Keonjhar, Koraput, Malkangiri, Mayurbhanj, Nabarangpur, Sambalpur, and Subarnapur have submitted proposals to conduct fresh elections for ward member positions where seats were de-reserved due to the absence of eligible candidates from reserved categories.
The State Election Commission has completed the revision and preparation of the electoral rolls for the gram panchayats concerned, based on the Assembly electoral roll of 2025.
Exercising its powers under Article 243K of the Constitution of India, along with Section 13(2) of the Odisha Gram Panchayat Act, 1964 and Rule 3-B(4) of the Odisha Gram Panchayat Election Rules, 1965, the Commission has announced the schedule for the by-elections to the offices of Sarpanches and Ward Members.
According to the notification, the Election Officer will issue a public notice inviting nominations for Ward Member posts on May 22.
Nomination forms will be issued and nominations will be accepted on May 26, 28, 29, 30, and 31, between 11 am and 3pm.
Scrutiny of nominations will take place on June 2 from 11am onwards, and the list of validly nominated candidates will be published at the respective panchayat offices.
Candidates may withdraw their nominations by June 4, up to 3pm at the Block Office. The final list of contesting candidates will be published thereafter.
Polling will be conducted on June 23 from 7am to 1pm. Counting of votes and declaration of results will begin on June 24 at 8am.
The names of duly elected candidates will be announced by the Election Officer on June 25. Final results will be submitted to the State Election Commission on June 26.
The model code of conduct issued by the Commission will remain in effect in the respective panchayats and wards from May 20 to June 24.
UNI DP PRS