BHUBANESWAR: The state BJP today sought the intervention of Governor S C Jamir for a free and
fair election to the three-tier panchayati raj institutions (PRIs).
A delegation of the party led by state unit president Basanta Panda submitted a memorandum to the Governor requesting him to direct the State Election Commission to use of separate ballot box for zilla
parishad (ZP) elections and declaration of ZP results after completion of polls to the PRIs.
Since election to gram panchayats, panchayat samitis and zilla parishads will be held in five phases, announcement of zilla parishad results will influence the voters, the memorandum said.
While elections to zilla parishads are fought on party symbols, candidates contesting for gram panchayats and panchayat samitis are proscribed from using symbols of recognised political parties.
It would not be fair to announce the results of zilla parishads before the completion of the polls, the BJP leaders said.
Though the State Election Commission (SEC) has recommended these proposals to the State Government, the ruling BJD has rejected them.
The SEC can do nothing unless the existing election rules are suitably amended, the memorandum said.
The BJP leaders urged the Governor to use his constitutional power and direct the state government and the SEC for necessary changes in the election rules for a free and fair election to the PRIs.
Senior BJP leaders Samir Mohanty, Pruthiraj Harichandan, Golak Mohapatra, Pravati Parida, Lakhashri Samantsinghar, Kalandi Samal and Dilip Mallick were part of the delegation.