ECI team’s visit fuels speculation of early Assembly polls in Odisha

ECI team to review poll preparedness in Odisha on Sept 13; speculation of early Assembly polls; BJD, BJP, Congress ready; EVMs/VVPATs to be examined in Oct; BJD, BJP, Congress ready; BJD welfare schemes launched; people with CM Naveen Patnaik; BJP, Congress ready; separate polls to double expenditure.

The visit of an ECI team to Odisha on September 13 to review poll preparedness has triggered speculations of early Assembly elections in the State.

Although Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) Nikunja Bihari Dhal on August 29 said the ECI team's visit has nothing to do with early polls, the three major political parties — BJD, BJP and Congress — have asserted that they are ready for election whenever it takes place.

The Election Commission of India (ECI) team will hold a meeting with all district collectors on September 13.

"EVMs and VVPATs will be examined in October and the process will be completed by November 15. But this process or the ECI team's visit has nothing to do with early polls. Both Lok Sabha and Assembly elections will be held as per schedule," he said.

Political parties, particularly Opposition BJP and Congress, speculated that early polls might be held in Odisha along with five other States later this year.

Union Minister Dharmendra Pradhan was among the first politicians from the State to have speculated in recent times that the ruling BJD might seek early polls in the State.

Early polls were held in Odisha in 2004.