Odisha Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) DN Gupta has said the State machinery is ready to conduct the Bijepur Assembly by-election and is awaiting the Election Commission of India’s (ECI) nod for the purpose.
The Northern Division RDC has already submitted a "Readiness Report" to the ECI.
Gupta said the VVPAT and EVM machines for the by-poll have reached Odisha from Gujarat on December 31.
Gupta pointed out that the Bijepur seat has fallen vacant after sitting Congress MLA Subal Sahu died in August last. However, his election was sub judice in the Orissa High Court which was disposed of in October, paving the way to hold the by-poll.
“Hence, the ECI might have taken that (disposal of the case) into consideration. The mandatory six-month duration (for holding by-poll) may be counted from October,” Gupta stated.
The CEO said five to seven weeks is required for conducting an election after the formal notification of the date. HSC examinations in the State have already been slated for February 23 to March 8, 2018. Thus, the by-poll notification should be 45 days prior to that.
Gupta further said, “Normally, the six-month vacancy of a seat is counted from the date of it falling vacant. But if there is an election case, it is counted from the date of the court’s decision.”
As per the ECI’s direction, the first task is to check the functioning of the EVMs and VVPATs, Gupta said, adding that for this purpose, engineers from the Bharat Electronics Limited have been engaged. A training programme has been organised by the ECI for the Padampur officials who would
Meanwhile, Election Commission of India (ECI) Advisor Bhagwan Prakash on Thursday said the ECI would announce the dates for the by-poll within the stipulated timeframe as per the rules.
ECI would announce the dates as per the rule which says the by-election to an Assembly segment should be completed within six months,” said Prakash.
The ECI would hold discussions with the State Government to maintain law and order in the region after ensuring that no examination is scheduled during the by-poll and there are no weather-related issues. After completion of all the formalities, the ECI would announce the dates, he said.