Govt holiday tomorrow for ULB Polls
The Odisha state government has declared holiday in cities, towns and panchayats where the ULB elections will be held. The Government offices and industrial establishments will remain closed on 19th September 2013 for the urban local body (ULB) elections.
As per a notification issued by the State Election Commission (SEC), Government offices and industrial establishments and a few schools across 66 ULBs going to polls will remain closed on Thursday.
The district administration has been entrusted with the job to identify schools which will function as polling booths.
The SEC officials said no order has been issued to shut down all the schools in 66 ULBs. Only those schools functioning as polling booths will remain closed. The Government officials, who work elsewhere other than the 66 ULBs, will be allowed special casual leave to vote in the elections.
Political parties and candidates made last bid efforts to woo voters through high-pitch campaign for September 19 Urban Local Bodies (ULB) elections across Odisha as the public campaign came to an end on Tuesday.
Ruling BJD, main opposition Congress and BJP are main contenders in the local body election, which would also have independents playing major role in power politics in the elections.
BJD supremo and chief minister Naveen Patnaik this morning visited Chattrapur, Rambha, Purusottampur, Kodala and Khallikote in Ganjam district that attracted a huge crowd and appealed the voters to exercise their franchise for the party to help drive the development of Odisha.
Meanwhile, Congress is looking to make major inroads into BJD strong hold in urban areas and emerge as a major gainer. AICC general secretary and Odisha in-charge BK Hariprasad today visited Berhampur and appealed voters to cast votes for their party.
On the other hand, the BJP is leaving no stone unturned to win the heart of voters. State BJP President KV Singhdeo along with other leaders including Sajjan Sharma and Manmohan Samal yesterday visited Balasore, Jaleswar and Nilagiri and campaigned for his party candidates.
Notably, the ULB polls would be held in 58 notified area councils, 32 municipalities and one municipal corporation (Berhampur) on September 19.
