Bijepur by-poll date likely after Jan 20

Bhubaneswar: Amid the all-out efforts by three major political parties BJD, BJP and Congress to reach out people, the Election Commission of India (ECI) is likely to announce the schedule for the Bijepur by-election after January 20.

On January 20, final publication of electoral rolls for the Bijepur Assembly segment will be done, said Election Commission sources.

“The final publication of electoral rolls of special summary revision for Bijepur Assembly constituency, Odisha will be done on January 20, 2018. The final publication of electoral rolls of special summary revision for the remaining 146 assembly constituencies of Odisha will be done on February 16, 2018,” said Odisha Joint Electoral Officer Bhabani Prasad Ray.

On the other hand, the ruling BJD and Opposition Congress has been blaming the BJP for the alleged delay in the conduct of a by-poll in Bijepur assembly segment and drew in Election Commission into it.

The Bijepur by-poll was necessitated after the death of three-time Congress MLA Subal Sahu on August 22, 2017.

Ray said there has been no delay in announcement of the poll schedule, as it could be held within six months.
Constitutionally, a by-poll should be held within six months of a vacancy.