There would be no Covid-related restrictions on campaigning for the current Urban Local Body elections, said State Election Commissioner Aditya Prasad Padhi on Monday.
As the Covid-19 cases are decreasing, it has been decided not to impose any restriction on campaigning, he said. However, restrictions would be imposed if Covid-19 cases rise again, he clarified.
Padhi informed that more polling personnel would be engaged in the polls this time as there would be two EVMs in each booth, one for the election of Councillor/ Corporator and another for Chairperson/ Mayor.
Each team of polling personnel would have one Presiding Officer and four Polling Officers, he added.
Notably, elections to the State’s 106 Urban Local Bodies (47 Municipalities and 59 NACs) and three Municipal Corporations will be held on March 24. The counting of votes and declaration of results will take place on March 26.
Elections to the posts of Mayors in Municipal Corporations and Chairpersons of Municipalities and Notified Area Councils (NACs) will be held directly this time.