World News | No COVID-19 Curbs During Electioneering for Urban Local Body Polls in Odisha: SEC

Bhubaneswar, Mar 7 (PTI) The Odisha State Election Commission (SEC) on Monday withdrew all COVID-19 restrictions on campaigns for urban local body elections, slated to be held on March 24.

SEC AP Padhi said the decision was taken in view of the dip in COVID-19 cases.

Also Read | 'China, India Have Encountered Some Setbacks in Bilateral Ties', Says Foreign Minister Wang Yi.

Padhi, however, pointed out that restrictions might be re-imposed if cases soar again.

The state on Monday reported 120 new COVID-19 cases, which took the tally to 12,86,009, while the toll remained unchanged at 9,101 as no new fatality was recorded, the health department said.

Also Read | Crude Oil Price Soars Past $130 A Barrel, Highest Since July 2008 Amid Russia-Ukraine Crisis.

Elections to 106 ULBs -- 47 municipalities and 59 notified area council -- and three municipal corporations will be held on March 24. Votes will be counted two days later.

In a first, provisions have been made for directly electing the mayor of municipal corporations and chairpersons of municipalities and notified area council.

Two EVMs will be placed in the polling booths – one for electing the mayor or chairperson of civic bodies and the other for local councillor.

Over 41 lakh voters will be exercising their franchise in 4,475 booths.

(The above story is verified and authored by Press Trust of India (PTI) staff. PTI, India’s premier news agency, employs more than 400 journalists and 500 stringers to cover almost every district and small town in India.. The views appearing in the above post do not reflect the opinions of LatestLY)