Silence Period Commences in Nuapada Ahead of High-Stakes By-Poll; 47 Booths Marked as ‘Sensitive’

The directive, effective from 4 p.m. today, marks the cessation of all political campaigning or public messaging in the region, in compliance with the guidelines issued by the Election Commission of India (EC).

R. S. Gopalan, the Chief Electoral Officer for Odisha, confirmed that all political workers who had travelled from other districts have been asked to depart the constituency to ensure an unbiased and smooth process.

Adequate security arrangements have been deployed for a peaceful polling exercise: a total of 47 booths, identified as sensitive, will be under heightened surveillance. Both state police and central paramilitary personnel have been stationed across all polling stations. Webcasting facilities will also be operational at all the 358 booths—including 56 newly established ones—to provide transparency and real-time oversight.

The by-poll was triggered by the demise of four-time MLA Rajendra Dholakia on September 8. Dholakia had served as a minister in the previous government under Naveen Patnaik from 2022 to 2024. There are approximately 2.48 lakh registered voters in the constituency, underscoring the electoral significance of the event.

CEO Gopalan expressed confidence in the adequacy of the arrangements and emphasised that all measures have been taken to facilitate a safe, orderly and inclusive voting environment.