Odisha: The State Election Commission (SEC) announced on Saturday that it will make a decision on hosting three-tier rural elections in Odisha shortly, citing the state's COVID-19 outbreak.

During the day, the SEC met with top Odisha government officials to assess the state's readiness if the panchayat election is held in February, according to Odisha state election commissioner A P Padhi.

Chief secretary S C Mohapatra, special relief commissioner P K Jena, and additional chief secretary for health and family welfare R K Sharma were present at the meeting. After the meeting, Padhi informed reporters, "The state government presented a presentation on the current circumstances and its preparedness for holding the election amid the COVID-19 spike."

He stated that the decision to hold the three-tier panchayat election will be dependent on the government's suggestions. In the meantime, in light of the pandemic situation, Congress Legislature Party (CLP) leader Narasingha Mishra has urged that the state's panchayat and municipal elections be postponed. "It is undeniably true that life is more important than any election." COVID-19 infections are on the rise in Odisha, and the virus is spreading its tentacles across the state. The pandemic situation is going to be dangerous in the near future, according to experts, virologists, and medics," Mishra added.

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