Odisha assembly

1. ECI to unveil 2024 Lok Sabha and state assembly election schedules in New Delhi.
2. Polling schedule for general elections to be announced in a televised live conference.
3. Anticipation builds as ECI gears up to reveal the election timetable this afternoon.

Bhubaneswar, March 16: The Election Commission of India (ECI) has announced that the voting for the 147-member Odisha assembly will take place in four phases. The dates for casting votes are scheduled for May 13, May 20, May 25, and June 1.

The counting of the votes is set to occur on June 4, as confirmed by Chief Election Commissioner Rajiv Kumar. The current assembly, elected in 2019, is set to expire on June 2, 2024.

Here’s the detailed schedule for the Odisha assembly polls:

  • Issue of notification: April 18, April 26, April 29, May 7
  • Last date of notification: April 25, May 3, May 6, May 14
  • Scrutiny of nomination: April 26, May 4, May 7, May 15
  • Last date of withdrawal of candidature: April 29, May 6, May 9, May 17
  • Date of poll: May 13, May 20, May 25, June 1
  • Results: June 4

Also Read: Assam: Lok Sabha Elections Scheduled in 3 Phases on April 19, April 26, and May 7

The Election Commission has emphasized the need for enforcement agencies to maintain impartiality and transparency to ensure a smooth and fair polling process, guaranteeing a level playing field for all candidates.

In the 2019 Odisha legislative assembly elections, the Biju Janata Dal (BJD) secured a resounding victory with 113 seats, allowing them to form the government for a fifth consecutive term under Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik.

The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) won 23 seats, while the Congress managed to secure only 9. The remaining seats were divided among the Communist Party of India (Marxist) and an independent candidate.

Odisha comprises 21 parliamentary constituencies. In the 2019 Lok Sabha polls, the BJD emerged as the dominant party, winning 12 seats, followed by the BJP with 8 seats, and the Congress with just one.

Ahead of the upcoming Lok Sabha and assembly polls, discussions have been ongoing between the BJP and BJD regarding a possible alliance.

Despite their split in 2009, the two former allies have engaged in talks regarding a seat-sharing pact for both the assembly elections and Lok Sabha polls.

The BJD, known as a “friendly party” to the ruling BJP, has previously supported the Union government in passing crucial bills.