Bhubaneswar: In keeping with its earlier announcements, the Home (elections) department Monday issued a formal notification for holding of the bypoll for Bijepur Assembly constituency. The segment will go to polls October 21 and voting will be conducted between 7 am and 5 pm.
The last date for filing of nominations is September 30 while scrutiny of papers will be done the next day. October 3 is fixed as the last date for withdrawing of nomination papers. Counting of votes will be done October 24.
Over 2.32 lakh voters will exercise their franchise at 285 polling booths in the Assembly segment. The election process will be completed by October 27.
Naveen had contested polls from Bijepur and Hinjili in the recently concluded Assembly polls. He won from both the seats and later resigned from Bijepur constituency.
Meanwhile, Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik has appointed BJD legislator and western Odisha leader Rohit Pujari as the government deputy chief whip in the Assembly replacing Pranab Balabantaray. The reason for replacement of Balabantaray with Pujari is not yet known.
“It’s all due to the blessings of our Chief Minister. I have tried to deliver my best in whatever responsibility the party has given me earlier. This new assignment will boost my work for the development of the state,” Pujari said.