Odisha rural poll: 2.7 lakh nominations valid

BHUBANESWAR: After scrutiny of nomination papers, the State Election Commission on Thursday found 2, 07,180 valid nominations of total 2, 17,873 papers filed during January 11 to January 17.
The valid nominations include 146662 for ward members, 31086 for sarpanch, 25714 for samiti member and 3718 for zilla parishad members.
As many as 10, 693 nomination papers were rejected during the scrutiny process conducted on Wednesday.
“Most of the nominations were rejected on grounds like non-submission of caste certificates, incomplete filing, mistake in selecting proposer and seconder, third child norm and ignorance of Odia language,” said SEC secretary R N Sahu.
Chasi Mulia Adibashi Sangha leader Nachika Linga and his wife Tikia are those whose nominations were rejected among others. While Linga’s nomination filed for Narayanpatna zilla parishad zone was rejected over non-submission of OBC certificate, her wife’s nomination was rejected over ignorance of Odia language, sources said.
After completion of the nomination withdrawal process, the poll panel would publish the final list of candidates on January 21 after noon.
The poll panel appointed general and expenditure observers to ensure smooth conduct of the rural polls scheduled in five phases from February 13, 15, 17, 19 and 21.
The poll panel has asked the district collectors to submit the master plan for smooth conduct of elections by January 24. They would also mention details of sensitive and hypersensitive booths in their reports.
The district collectors have been asked to either install CCTV or to record the poll process through video cameras in the sensitive and hypersensitive booths.
Meanwhile, the poll panel ruled out chances of fresh polls in Baghamari block in Gajapti district following the death of a Sarpanch nominee (Mini Dalabehera).
“If a candidate dies after publication of valid nominations (January 19, 11 am), then the election process is canceled and fresh nominations and elections will be held on subsequent dates. Since the Baghamari incident occurred before January 19, there is no scope of fresh elections,” the SEC secretary said.