Odisha HC adjourns hearing on BJP's petition on ZP rule change

The Orissa High Court today adjourned for March 15 hearing on BJP's petition challenging the state government's amendment to the Zilla Parishad (ZP) Election Rules, even as the ZP president's poll is scheduled for March 12.
In another petition, the HC stayed elections for ZP president and vice-presidents in Malkangiri and Nuapada.
A ZP member of BJP today filed a petition in the HC against the March 8 notification changing ZP Election Rules, contending that the rules cannot be altered in the middle of election process.
On an urgent mention, a Division Bench headed by Chief Justice Vineet Saran, took up the matter, held primary hearing and adjourned the matter till March 15.

State Advocate General S P Mishra opposed the petition in the court saying the amendment was made to ensure transparency and prevent cross voting in the elections for the posts of ZP presidents and vice-presidents.
As per the amended rules, an authorised agent of each political party, whose members will vote for the election of president or vice-president, will be allowed to verify ballot papers of his/her party members before they cast their votes.

According to results of the panchayat polls, BJP has emerged as the principal gainer by becoming the second largest party pushing the Congress to the third position, even as the BJD won majority seats.

Of the 846 ZP seats for which polls were held in five phases from February 13, the BJD has won 473 seats and the BJP 297.
New members will now vote to elect ZP presidents on March 12 and vice-presidents on March 24.
The BJP earlier alleged that the amendment was brought in a hurry as the ruling BJD was apprehensive that its elected ZP members may not vote for party nominees for the posts of presidents and vice presidents of the ZPs.
In a separate order, the HC granted interim stay to petitioners on election for ZP presidents and vice-presidents in Malkangiri and Nuapada districts.

Two elected ZP members in separate petitions moved the HC seeking stay on the elections of president and vice-president election in the two districts contending that elections in two zones in Malkangiri and one zone in Nuapada have not been held yet.
Taking note of their plea, Justice Biswanath Ratho directed the State Election Commission not to go ahead with the scheduled elections for ZP presidents and vice-presidents in the two districts.