The panchayat elections next year would be held in 6,794 gram panchayats in the State. In 2017, the elections had been held in 6,801 GPs. State Election Commission (SEC) Secretary Rabindra Nath Sahu on Tuesday said that this time elections would not be held in seven GPs as they have been included in NACs. These GPs include four of Remuna in Baleswar district, two of Odagaon in Nayagarh and one of Bijepur in Bargarh.
The three-tier panchayat polls this time would be held in total 91,916 wards, excluding 111 wards. In 2017, the elections had been held in 92,027 wards.On Monday, the SEC in a notification had said candidates of the panchayat polls can spend more money and use more vehicles.
While candidates contesting for Zilla Parishad Members can spend up to Rs 5 lakh, the limit for expenses for Panchayat Samiti Member candidates and Sarpanches has been increased to Rs 2 lakh.