Bhubaneswar, April 11: The Odisha State Election Commission (SEC) has officially initiated the process for conducting by-elections and fresh elections to fill 1,134 vacant posts in the state’s three-tier Panchayati Raj Institutions (PRIs).

According to a statement released by the SEC, by-elections will be held for five Zilla Parishad (ZP) members, 41 Panchayat Samiti members, 45 Sarpanches, and 272 Ward Members. In addition, fresh elections will be conducted in 771 wards across various panchayats.

These 771 wards remained vacant during the 2022 panchayat elections due to the absence of nominations, particularly in areas designated for reserved categories. Following the de-reservation of these wards by the respective district collectors, the SEC has now moved forward to initiate the polling process.

The Commission is expected to announce the election schedule and related guidelines soon. Officials have assured that all necessary arrangements will be made to ensure smooth, free, and fair elections.

This move is seen as a significant step towards strengthening grassroots democracy in Odisha by ensuring representation and participation in all tiers of the Panchayati Raj system.

Odisha State Election Commission Begins Process for By-elections to 1,134 Vacant PRI Posts

The Odisha State Election Commission (SEC) has officially initiated the process for conducting by-elections and fresh elections to fill 1,134 vacant posts in the state’s three-tier Panchayati Raj Institutions (PRIs).

According to a statement released by the SEC, by-elections will be held for five Zilla Parishad (ZP) members, 41 Panchayat Samiti members, 45 Sarpanches, and 272 Ward Members. In addition, fresh elections will be conducted in 771 wards across various panchayats.

These 771 wards remained vacant during the 2022 panchayat elections due to the absence of nominations, particularly in areas designated for reserved categories. Following the de-reservation of these wards by the respective district collectors, the SEC has now moved forward to initiate the polling process.

The Commission is expected to announce the election schedule and related guidelines soon. Officials have assured that all necessary arrangements will be made to ensure smooth, free, and fair elections.

This move is seen as a significant step towards strengthening grassroots democracy in Odisha by ensuring representation and participation in all tiers of the Panchayati Raj system.