ZP Chiefs on March 15

BHUBANESWAR: Re-polling was held in 69 booths of 30 gram panchayats (GPs) in 19 blocks of 11 districts on Monday. The panchayat polls spread over five phases had come to end on Sunday. Voters of booths 9 and 10 in Dimiri GP of Kantapada block in Cuttack district and booths 9 and 12 in Danagadi GP in Jajpur district boycotted the polls. According to the State Election Commission (SEC), 74 per  cent voters exercised their franchise in the five-phase polls. About 1.2 lakh Government employees were deployed for smooth conduct of the polls. At least 30,000 vehicles were used. The SEC enforced the model code of conduct strictly and made submission of caste certificates mandatory for candidates of reserved seats. Re-polling was held in 309 booths in the five phases. Braving the Naxal threat, voters came out in large numbers to participate in the polling process in the Red zone. More than 70 per cent polling was recorded in Naxal-hit areas.   The names of elected ward members and sarpanches will be announced in the block offices on February 22. The results of  zilla parishad (ZP) and panchayat samiti (PS) polls will also be announced on the same day.  Election for the posts PS chairpersons will be held on March 11. Vice-chairpersons will be elected on March 21. Elections to ZP presidents will be held on March 13. The SEC will announce the names of elected ZP presidents in its office here on March 15. Vice-presidents of ZPs will be elected on March 24. Polls were held for 87,528 ward members, 6,235 sarpanches and PS members each and 854 ZP members. Out of that 34,563 ward members, 225 sarpanches, 358 PS members and three ZP members were elected uncontested. State Election Commissioner Ajit Kumar Tripathy has thanked all Government employees and organisations and individuals involved in the poll process and political parties for the smooth conduct of the polls.