Bhubaneswar, Jan 18: For the upcoming Panchayat Elections, 2,20,789 candidates have filed papers in Odisha. While 3,880 candidates have filed papers for Zilla Parishad (ZP) member positions, 33,348 have gone for Sarpanch seats. For Panchayat Samiti Members, 27,475 aspiring candidates have filed papers and 1,56,086 for Ward Member positions. A statement released by the State Election Commission (SEC) stated that with 16,054 nominations, Balasore has received the highest number of papers while Jharsuguda has the lowest candidates with 1908. Tuesday was the last day to file nomination papers. After scrutinisation of papers tomorrow, the list of eligible candidates will be declared. Candidates wishing to withdraw their names can do so by Jan 21 and the final list of candidates in poll fray will be announced on the same date. No incidents of violence have been reported during the filing of nomination papers. Around 32 expenditure observers have been appointed to look into the expenses made by the candidates. The officials will begin their field visit from Jan 22. General observers have been asked to join duties from today. All this was informed by Rabindra Nath Sahu, secretary, State Election Commission.
To a shock, Chasi Mulia Adivasi Sangh (CMAS) leader, Nachika Linga and his wife have filed their nominations for Zilla Parishad member and Sarpanch, respectively in the upcoming polls. Linga, currently lodged in Koraput Jail sent his nomination paper for Narayanpatna Zilla Parishad member to the district returning officer through his counsel. His wife filed her paper for Podapadar Panchayat Sarpanch. Linga had surrendered before police on Oct 28, 2014 following which he was arrested. With the help of left wing extremists, Linga had allegedly set up CMAS and become its leader demanding land settlement in Narayanpatna and Bandhugaon blocks of Koraput. Several cases of murder, attack on police stations, arson and instigating tribal to take law into their hands had been pending against Linga in different police stations prior to his arrest.
In Khurda, residents of Daruthenga on the outskirts of Bhubaneswar have boycotted polls demanding shifting of the garbage dumping yard from their village. None from the village have filed nomination for sarpanch, samiti member and ward member posts.
