The State Election Commission (SEC) is taking all necessary steps to conduct panchayat elections in Kotia during the ensuing polls, giving a clear message to Andhra Pradesh which is claiming Kotia villages under its boundary.
During a recent meeting with Collectors and SPs, State Election Commissioner Aditya Prasad Padhi had asked them to give special attention for holding Panchayat elections in Kotia Gram Panchayat under Pottangi Block.
In February last year, the Andhra Pradesh Government had issued notification for conduct of the rural polls in Kotia despite the Odisha Government having approached the Supreme Court.
Both Odisha and Andhra are engaged in a five-decade-long tussle over the ownership of 21 of the 28 villages in Kotia Panchayat and the case is pending in Supreme Court since 1968. Peeved with frequent intrusions by Andhra and execution of various welfare programmes in Kotia, the Odisha Government had announced a special package worth Rs 150 crore for development of the disputed Panchayat in April 2018.
During general elections to PRIs, 2017, polling could not be held in two Zilla Parishad zones of Chitrakonda Block including 18 Gram Panchayats of Malkangiri district due to the security situation.
Hence, the SEC has asked that adequate precautions be taken at all levels and special preparations be made to ensure that the election process starting with nominations are held smoothly in the coming Panchayat elections.
The Collectors and SPs of both the districts have been asked to appraise the prevailing situation in these Blocks.
Meanwhile, the Commission has decided for CCTV coverage of hypersensitive booths taking into account the availability of CCTVs and the requirement of funds.
One videographer will be exclusively kept at the disposal of General Observer and one/two videographer(s) will be engaged per Block on the day of poll. Prior approval of the Commission is required before installation of CCTVs.