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Bhubaneswar, Oct 13 (IANS) The Election Commission of India on Monday issued a gazette notification for the by-election for Nuapada Assembly constituency, outlining the election schedule.
According to the notification, Nuapada seat had fallen vacant after the sudden demise of former minister and veteran BJD leader Rajendra Dholakia on September 8.
The process of filing nominations will start on Monday with the release of the gazette notification.
Candidates can submit their nominations till October 20, which is the last date for filing.
The nominations will be scrutinized on October 22 and candidates can withdraw their candidature till October 24.
The by-election on Nuapada seat is to be held on November 11, while the counting of votes will take place on November 14.
The Election Commission of India has announced that the entire election process will be completed by 16 November.
According to the notification, polling will begin at 7 am and continue till 5 pm at all polling stations except 47 booths located in Naxal-affected areas, where polling will end at 4 pm.
Earlier, Odisha Chief Electoral Officer RS Gopalan had announced that a total of 358 polling stations, including 56 new ones, will be set up in Nuapada constituency for the upcoming by-election.
He also said that there will not be more than 1200 voters at any polling station. Gopalan confirmed that sufficient EVMs and VVPAT machines are available for the by-election in Nuapada Assembly constituency.
He further said that publication of previous criminal records of candidates in newspapers and television channels on three occasions during the campaign period is mandatory for both independent candidates and political parties.
Additionally, webcasting will be conducted at all polling stations to ensure transparency.
It is noteworthy that both the ruling BJP and the main opposition BJD have not yet announced their candidates for the by-elections.
Meanwhile, Congress has named veteran tribal leader Balbhadra Majhi as its candidate for the Nuapada by-election to be held on November 11.
–IANS
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