Bhubaneswar, Jan. 13 -- The State Election Commission, Odisha on Thursday published the formal notification for the three-tier Panchayat polls in the State. The elections will be held in five phases from February 16 to 24 amid strict adherence to Covid-19 protocols.

The notification:

The candidates can file their nominations for Sarpanchs, Samiti members and Zilla Parishad member posts from January 17 to January 21 while the scrutiny of the nomination papers will be done on January 22.

The candidates can withdraw their nomination papers till January 25 while the final list of candidates will be published on the same day, read the notification.

The election for the posts of Panchayat Samiti vice-chairperson and Zilla Parishad vice-pres...