Clarity on Panchayat Elections: Odisha SEC Confirms Polls in February 2027

The State Election Commission (SEC) of Odisha has officially announced that Panchayat elections will be conducted in February 2027, ending weeks of speculation about an early poll.

The Commission clarified that since the five‑year term of the current Panchayats will conclude in early 2027, elections will be held on schedule.

Preparations are already underway, with meetings held with district collectors and arrangements being made for booths and ballot boxes.

The SEC also confirmed that no by‑elections will be conducted in the interim, given the proximity of the main polls.

Political debate had intensified after BJP state president Manmohan Samal suggested that elections might be advanced by two to three months due to census‑related reasons.

He urged party‑backed Panchayat representatives to complete pending work within six months. The statement triggered sharp reactions from rival parties.

The BJD criticised the BJP for announcing election timelines from a party office instead of leaving the matter to the Election Commission.

The Congress also objected, arguing that BJP leaders should not dictate rural election schedules from urban centres.

With the SEC’s clarification, uncertainty has been removed, and the political focus now shifts to how parties will prepare for the scheduled polls.