BHUBANESWAR: As Maoist threat looms large over Left Wing Extremism (LWE)-affected districts, Malkangiri to be particular, State Election Commission (SEC) will take a call on any changes in the poll schedule on January 22.
The power vested with the election body allows it to make changes to the already-notified election process. The nomination deadline can be extended and polling dates changed under the existing norms but a decision can only be taken after the Commission gets a clear picture of the scenario.
Secretary to the SEC Rabindra Nath Sahu said the Commission can take a fresh call on the issue in case of election failure which is defined as zero nomination filing in particular areas or summary withdrawal or even rejection of nomination papers.
''The Commission can take a view on the matter after scrutiny of nomination papers is over and final lists of candidates are published,'' Sahu said.
As per the poll schedule, the nomination filing started on January 11 and would be completed on January 17. The scrutiny of nomination papers would be carried out on January 18 whereas final list of valid candidates will be published on January 21 after final withdrawal.
The issue assumed importance after five poll officials were kidnapped by Maoists from cut-off areas of Chitrakonda in Malkangiri on Friday. Initially, Malkangiri Police said the poll officials fled the cut-off areas where the Red rebels hold sway. However, a day later, the poll officials returned to confirm that they were actually abducted by the Maoists. The LWE fear has meant that nomination process is slow in many parts of Malkangiri district while in certain parts of the cut-off areas, not a single nomination has been filed.
Sources said Malkangiri Collector and SP have already submitted reports on the ground situation to SEC. The SP is stated to have already indicated where polling booths need to be relocated in view of the threat perception from the rebels.