New Rules for Zilla Parishad President Election in Odisha

Bhubaneswar: The State Election Commission (SEC) is going to implement the new anti-defection rule for election to the post of Zilla Parishad President and Vice-President, which will be held on March 13 and 25, respectively.

The State Government has recently amended the Odisha Zilla Parishad (ZP) Election Rules, 1994 by adding another clause. The new clause provides for appointment of agents by every political party and the election officer will allow the authorised agents to verify the vote cast by the elected Zilla Parishad member of their respective parties as is being done during Rajya Sabha elections, SEC officials said.

As per the new norms, during the in-direct election to Zilla Parishad president and vice-president posts, all the members will have to show their votes to the political agent appointed by their own party before dropping it in the vote box.

The political parties will have to submit details on appointment of authorised agents in a prescribed form to the concerned electoral officer by 5.30 p.m. of the previous day of election, the officials said.

As per schedule, an interested elected Zilla Parishad member can submit his/her nomination paper for the president or vice-president poll in between 10.30 a.m. to 11.30 a.m. on the election day.

The nominations will be scrutinised in the next one hour while the candidates can withdraw their nominations by 1 p.m. If required, voting will be held from 1.30 p.m. to 4 p.m. and then the result will be declared.
(IANS)