EC holds discussion with political parties ahead of polls in Odisha

Bhubaneswar: A six-member team of the Election Commission of India (ECI) on Thursday held a consultation session with major political parties in Odisha to discuss preparations for the upcoming Lok Sabha and Assembly elections in the state.

The ECI team, led by Election Commissioner Ashok Lavasa, held the discussion with representatives of the Biju Janata Dal (BJD), Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), Congress and Communist Party of India (CPI) among others. The political parties urged the ECI to conduct free and fair elections in the state.

“We informed the ECI about the misuse of government agencies by both the Centre and the Odisha government. We also requested for a free and fair election protecting the integrity of elections,” said Congress leader Narasingh Mishra.

BJD leader Amar Patnaik said they had informed the ECI about the involvement of BJP leaders in violence during the Bijepur Assembly by-elections and urged the officials to take steps to prevent repeating such violence. (IANS)

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