Bhubaneswar: The Odisha State Election Commission (SEC) has begun preparations to conduct the Panchayat and Urban Local Body (ULB) elections after the completion of the national Census, with polling likely to be held in April or May next year.

SEC Secretary Santosh Kumar Dash said the Commission is gearing up for the elections and plans to issue the official notification in March, subject to the completion of the Census process.

Speaking to reporters, Dash said preparations are already underway following the publication of the draft reservation list for chairperson posts in urban local bodies.

The Commission has around 12,000 Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) for municipal elections and has placed an order for 6,000 additional EVMs to meet the requirements of the upcoming polls.

He said a door-to-door survey will be conducted after the reservation list is finalised. In Notified Area Councils (NACs), each ward will have one polling booth to facilitate smooth voting.

The SEC has also initiated procurement of ballot papers for EVMs and made logistical arrangements, including the hiring of vehicles for election duties.

Electoral Roll Revision to begin in October ahead of Odisha local body elections

According to Dash, the electoral roll revision process will begin in October, while the election notification is expected in March. The Commission is planning to conduct the Panchayat and municipal elections simultaneously in April or May.

A total of 143 Urban Local Bodies, including municipalities, Notified Area Councils (NACs), and municipal corporations, will go to the polls.

Dash also said the legal issues concerning the Sambalpur Municipal Corporation, which were pending before the Orissa High Court, have been resolved, and the necessary court order has already been issued, clearing the way for elections there as well.

Meanwhile, the Odisha government on July 15 published the draft reservation list for the posts of chairpersons in 35 Urban Local Bodies and invited objections and suggestions from the public.

The Housing and Urban Development Department has allowed a 15-day period for citizens to submit objections or suggestions to the Director of Municipal Administration.

According to the draft reservation list, 11 chairperson posts have been reserved for Scheduled Caste (SC) women, seven for the SC category, seven for Scheduled Tribe (ST) women, four for the ST category, four for women, and two for the unreserved category.

The simultaneous conduct of Panchayat and ULB elections is expected to streamline the electoral process while ensuring timely constitution of local self-government institutions across Odisha.