The Odisha State Election Commissioner, Madhusudan Padhi, has confirmed that the upcoming Panchayat elections will be held as per the scheduled timeline, after the completion of the current five-year term of the existing Panchayats.
The Commissioner stated that a final decision on the election schedule will be taken at the appropriate time, but emphasised that preparations are already underway. Work has begun at the subdivision level, with meetings held with district collectors over the past 10 days. Instructions have been issued to prepare polling booths, ballot boxes, and other essential infrastructure. Due to the limited time remaining before the regular Panchayat elections, no decision has been taken on conducting any by-elections, Commissioner Padhi added.
In contrast, BJP Odisha President Manmohan Samal claimed on Saturday that the state government is considering advancing the Panchayat elections by two to three months to align with the national census process. Speaking at a party event attended by sarpanches, samiti members, and workers, Samal suggested that early polls could facilitate smoother census operations.
The differing statements have drawn attention as administrative preparations continue across the state.
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