BJD ready for early polls

Bhubaneswar: With speculations rife that the country may go for early elections this year, the ruling Biju Janata Dal (BJD) claimed to be ready for the polls in accordance with the preparations of state election commission.
Party spokesperson and Rajya Sabha MP Pratap Keshari Deb said, “Though presently there are no signs of early elections, the BJD is planning its strategy keeping in view the way state election commission has started its preparations.” The state election commission has forwarded instructions to Collectors and BDOs to be ready for the polls, he pointed out.
The state election commission Saturday conducted an examination of nearly 166 electoral registration officers (EROs) and assistant electoral registration officers (AEROs) over the preparation and revision of the electoral rolls.
Additional chief electoral officer Kashinath Sahoo said, “The EROs and AEROs had undertaken a certification programme after which an examination was conducted in April to evaluate what knowledge they have gained during the training. The absentees and disqualified candidates of the previous examination took another test today.”
However, on being asked about chances of early elections, Sahoo replied, “As of yet, no such order has been issued by the election commission.”
Meanwhile, Odisha Pradesh Congress Committee (OPCC) president Niranjan Sahu said early elections may be conducted if Prime Minister Narendra Modi or central government decided to do so. “Anyways the Congress is prepared to face the polls”, he added.