Bhubaneswar: Political parties have begun preparations for the December 5 by-election in Padmapur assembly constituency in Odisha’s Bargarh district.
Although no nominee has been decided yet, parties have started tasking senior leaders with selection, and names are being discussed for candidature.
The Congress has set up a committee headed by senior leader Kishore Patel for candidate selection, while the BJD is awaiting Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik to select a name.
The BJP may field its former MLA Pradip Purohit.
Odisha’s Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) S K Lohani said the model code of conduct has come into force in the entire district with the announcement of the polls during the day.
The seat was laying vacant after the death of BJD MLA Bijay Ranjan Singh Bariha October 3.
Lohani said the formal notification on the bypoll will be issued on November 10.
As per the schedule, candidates can file their nomination papers till November 17, while the last date for withdrawal of candidatures has been fixed as November 21. The votes will be counted on December 8.
PTI