Odisha Election Commission exempts Forest Personnel from Election Duty

The State Election Commission has exempted forest officials from election duty in the upcoming Panchayat Polls in Odisha as it would hamper the ongoing wildlife and turtles protection drive.

Rabindranath Sahoo, secretary of the State Election Commission said, Forest official from wildlife parks and sanctuaries in Kendrapara and Jagatsinghpur districts will not be posted on election duty.

Vehicles and boats of wildlife sanctuaries and national parks will also not to engage for election duty, Sahoo said.

Reportedly, Forest guards are engaged to protect the endangered Olive Ridley sea turtles on the beach as lakhs of turtles has already gathered near Gahiramatha beach for mass-nesting soon.