Odisha CEO starts preparations for 2019 polls

Amid talks of early polls in 2019, Odisha Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) Surendra Kumar has sought a detailed report, with information on infrastructure requirement and expenditure estimates, from all district collectors.

Speaking to the reporters here today, Kumar said Trilochan Panigrahi, the additional financial adviser-cum-under secretary in the Home (election) department, has written to all collectors on his behalf, directing them to furnish information about the condition of strong rooms and security necessities.

In the letter, sent to the collectors on June 12, Panigrahi also asked the collectors to provide an estimated expenditure that would be incurred for tour of polling parties and booth arrangements, Kumar said.

"I am directed to say that the simultaneous General Election-2019 is likely to be conducted in the last part of this financial year or in the first part of the next financial year. It is therefore requested to furnish item-wise requirement of funds with proper justification" Panigrahi said in his letter to the collectors, a copy of which is available with the PTI.

Kumar also clarified that June 20 was set as deadline for the collectors to provide all information, but not all of them have been able to meet the target.

"The general elections are likely to be held next year. Keeping this in view, the state government machinery has to remain prepared and ensure that all requirements for the polls are put in place in advance," he said.

The Centre will bear all expenses towards the construction of the strong rooms in each district, the CEO said.

"The district collectors have also been asked to take early measures for construction of new strong rooms. This apart, the collectors were apprised of the use of Voter Verifiable Paper Audit Trail (VVPAT) machines," he asserted.

Asked about the likelihood of early elections, Kumar said, "This is a routine process of the Election Commission to keep the state government machinery prepared for the polls.