The State Election Commission (SEC) has asked the Panchayati Raj Department to provide details about extension of gram panchayats by May 2016.
Election Commissioner RN Senapati issued this direction at a meeting held here under his chairmanship on Tuesday. The Commissioner wanted that details about newly formed gram panchayats, their border limits and seat reservations should reach the SEC by May-end.
The Gram Panchayat election would be held in February2017, he informed.
Besides, conditions of ballot boxes and other election-related equipment, requirement of vehicles and staffs for smooth conduct of election, position of polling centres, preparation of flawless voters’ list and staff vacancies at district levels were discussed in detail.
The Commission too asked the department to submit reports of fund utilization of 2007 and 2012 elections before it soon. Among others, Panchayati Raj Secretary Deoranjan Singh, Director Debendra Prasad Das and district Panchayat officers were present. Sources said after extension, the number of GPs in Odisha would be increased from 6, 236 to 7,000.