Bhubaneswar: At a time when Maoists are asking civilians and polling officials to stay away from the ensuing panchayat elections in parts of Malkangiri district, the State Election Commission (SEC) Monday said a decision on rescheduling of the elections in the cut-off areas will be taken only after January 22.
“Rescheduling of election in Malkangiri and some other places will be done after January 22,” said SEC secretary RN Sahu.
After completion of nomination process January 17, scrutiny, withdrawal and other formalities will continue till January 22. Hence the SEC would assess the situation and announce new dates afterwards, Sahu added.
He further clarified that as per the existing norms, if nomination is not filed for a panchayat due to any reasons in the first phase, new schedule would be announced. For sometimes all the nominations are rejected or withdrawn in certain areas in the process of assessment, he added.
The election commission is in a fix over conduct of panchyat polls in LWE-hit areas, especially in Malkangiri district, where Maoists have asked civilians and polling officers to abstain themselves from the elections.
Media reports Friday said six poll officials had been abducted in Malkangiri, but later it was revealed they were holidaying. However, two of them Sunday claimed they were in the captivity of Maoists and were warned by them against taking part in polls. Meanwhile, tension prevailed at Panasput, Andrapali, Jantri, Gajalmamudi and Jodaamba where nomination filing has been affected due to Maoist threat. The polling officials have demanded adequate security arrangement for them to ensure that voting takes place smoothly in these areas.
The Andhra-Orissa Border Special Zonal Committee has asked for boycott of panchayat polls stating that no development has taken place in the area in the last seven decades and urged locals to elect representatives through kangaroo courts.
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