Odisha SEC Defers Rural Bypolls Due to Early Monsoon Forecast

The State Election Commission (SEC) of Odisha has decided to defer the upcoming rural bypolls scheduled for May 22 and June 25, citing the anticipated early onset of the monsoon, an official said on Wednesday.

On Tuesday, the SEC had issued a notification for by-elections across various three-tier panchayat institutions. The elections were meant to fill 1,043 ward member seats, 43 sarpanch posts, 40 panchayat samiti seats, and 5 zilla parishad positions.

However, with weather forecasts predicting an early arrival of monsoon rains in the region, the SEC has opted to postpone the polls in the interest of safety and smooth conduct.

“Keeping in view the early onset of monsoon, the notification for the by-elections stands cancelled. The elections will now be held after the rainy season is over,” an SEC official told reporters in Bhubaneswar.

A fresh schedule for the deferred elections will be announced later, following an assessment of weather conditions post-monsoon.