Speculation of early polls in Odisha triggered by ECI team’s visit

An Election Commission of India (ECI) team will be visiting Odisha on September 13 to review poll preparedness. This has led to speculation about early Assembly elections in the state. However, the Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) Nikunja Bihari Dhal has stated that the ECI team’s visit is not related to early polls. Despite this, the three major political parties in Odisha, BJD, BJP, and Congress, have stated that they are prepared for elections whenever they occur. The examination of EVMs and VVPATs will take place in October and will be completed by November 15. Dhal has confirmed that both the Lok Sabha and Assembly elections will be held as scheduled. Union Minister Dharmendra Pradhan was one of the first politicians in the state to speculate about early polls being sought by the ruling BJD. Early polls were last held in Odisha in 2004.