The Election Commission has announced the schedule for the upcoming assembly elections in Odisha. The Chief Election Commissioner, Rajiv Kumar, shared that the elections will be conducted in four phases.

According to Kumar, the assembly polls are set to coincide with the general elections on May 13, May 20, May 25, and June 1. The results will be announced on June 4.

In the previous assembly elections of 2019, the Biju Janata Dal (BJD) secured a significant victory with 112 seats, granting Naveen Patnaik his fifth consecutive term as the Chief Minister. Patnaik has been leading Odisha since 2000, with BJD having won 117 seats in the 2014 elections.

In 2019, the BJP saw an increase in its seat count from 10 to 23, while the Congress experienced a decline of seven seats, managing to secure only nine compared to its 2014 tally of 16.

There are speculations this time of a potential alliance between BJP and BJD for both Lok Sabha and assembly elections. In such a scenario, Congress would stand as the lone opposition party, a situation some analysts believe might work in its favor.

Nevertheless, Naveen Patnaik is anticipated to secure a sixth term in office.

The Odisha Assembly comprises 147 seats, with 74 seats needed to form a government. The current term of the Odisha Legislative Assembly is due to end on June 24, 2024.

Additionally, the Election Commission has announced the dates for Lok Sabha elections, covering 21 seats in Odisha.

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