The much-awaited by-election for the Bijepur Assembly constituency is likely to be held in December and a notification for the same may be issued soon.
This was ascertained after Odisha Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) DN Gupta on Friday met the Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) of India and held detailed discussions regarding the by-poll in New Delhi. During the meeting with the CEC, Gupta reportedly discussed various aspects of the by-election including issuance of notification, smooth conduct of the polls and use of EVMs.
The CEO, however, did not divulge anything about his meeting with the CEC.
The Bijepur Assembly seat has fallen vacant since August 24 following the demise of Congress MlA Subal Sahu. The by-election is being seen as a semifinal between the major political parties before the upcoming general elections.
The ruling BJD, which has already announced its candidate, Sahu’s wife Rita Sahu, has been demanding an early poll and has even alleged that the BJP Government at the Centre is pressurising the Election Commission to delay it.