Bhubaneswar: As many as 8,772 candidates have filed their nomination papers for the ensuing the ensuing three-tier panchayat elections in Odisha.
The nomination filing process started today and it will continue till January 21.
On the first day, 8,772 candidates including 7116 Ward Members, 1122 Sarapanches, 512 Samiti Members and 22 Zilla Parishad Members have filed their nominations, according to State Election Commission.
Scrutiny of nominations will be held on January 22 while candidates can withdraw nominations up to January 25.
The final list of contesting candidates will be published on January 25.
The elections will be held in five phases on February 16, 18, 20, 22 and 24 amid strict adherence of Covid guidelines.
As many as 2.79 crore rural voters will exercise their franchise in the three-tier panchayat polls to elect 91,913 Ward Members, 6,794 Sarpanches, 6,793 Samiti Members and 853 Zilla Parishad Members.