After postponing elections to 25 urban local bodies (ULBs) in Western Odisha districts where nomination papers were not filed, the State Election Commission (SEC) on Friday withdrew the model code of conduct enforced in these areas.
Nomination papers were not filed in 25 ULBs in Balangir, Bargarh, Deogarh, Jharsuguda, Kalahandi, Nuapada, Sambalpur, Subarnapur and Sundargarh districts which had boycotted polls over the demand of establishment of a permanent bench of the High Court in Western Odisha.
Elections were postponed by the SEC following reports from the collectors that poll schedule could not be adhered to due to law and order problem.
The next step on holding elections in these nine districts will be taken after consultations with the Home and the Urban Development departments and receiving reports from the district collectors.
The ULB polls would be held in 58 notified area councils, 32 municipalities and one municipal corporation (Berhampur) on September 19.
As the term of the 25 ULBs will expire on September 29, the State Government will have to appoint administrators for the interim period till the next election is held.