New Odisha Age

ECI Announces Assembly Poll Schedule; Dry Days to Be Enforced Across Polling States

Bhubaneswar: The Election Commission of India (ECI) has announced the schedule for the 2026 General Elections to Legislative Assemblies in Assam, Kerala, Puducherry, Tamil Nadu, and West Bengal, along with bye-elections in six states. The schedule was officially declared on March 15, 2026. Polling in Tamil Nadu and the first phase in West Bengal will…

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Delimitation Debate: Data Suggests No Loss of Representation for Southern States

Bhubaneswar: Amid growing political debate over proposed changes to parliamentary representation, data around the Delimitation exercise suggests that southern states may not see a decline in their share in the Lok Sabha. According to the projections being discussed, several southern states are expected to witness an increase in both the number of seats and their…

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Centre Grants Z+ Security to Raghav Chadha After Fresh Threat Assessment

Bhubaneswar: The Union government has granted Z+ category security to Raghav Chadha following a fresh threat assessment by central intelligence agencies. The decision was taken by the Ministry of Home Affairs shortly after the Aam Aadmi Party-led Punjab government withdrew his earlier Z+ security cover within the state. Z+ security is among the highest levels…

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Odisha Begins Door-to-Door Digital Census Survey with 90,000+ Officials Deployed

Bhubaneswar: Odisha has entered the next phase of its digital census exercise, with large-scale door-to-door data collection commencing across the state on Thursday. Over 90,200 officials, including enumerators and 15,140 supervisors, have been deployed for the survey. Each enumerator is tasked with covering around 800 individuals across 200 to 220 households, collecting detailed demographic information…

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Caste Census Underway, Enumeration to Include Caste Data: Amit Shah

Bhubaneswar: Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Thursday informed the Lok Sabha that the census process in the country has begun and will include caste-based data collection. Addressing the House, Shah said the government has decided to conduct a caste census alongside the general enumeration exercise. “I want to inform the entire country that the…

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Modi’s Roadshow in Kanyakumari Signals Intensifying Poll Battle in Tamil Nadu

Bhubaneswar: Prime Minister Narendra Modi led a 1.5-kilometre roadshow in Kanyakumari district, joined by Edappadi K. Palaniswami and other NDA allies, drawing large crowds ahead of the April 23 polls. The event witnessed enthusiastic participation, with youth and women lining the streets and even climbing barricades for a glimpse of the नेताओं. The show of…

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Samrat Choudhary Sworn In as Bihar’s First BJP Chief Minister

Bhubaneswar: Senior Samrat Choudhary leader was sworn in as the Chief Minister of Bihar on Wednesday, marking a historic moment as he becomes the first CM from the Bharatiya Janata Party in the state. Choudhary took the oath of office in a ceremony attended by senior party leaders and officials, signaling a major political shift…

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Amit Shah Targets TMC in Bengal, Raises Ram Mandir–Babri Masjid Issue

Bhubaneswar: Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Tuesday launched a sharp attack on West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, alleging that she intends to facilitate the construction of a “Babri Masjid” in the state through her aide Humayun Kabir. Addressing a public rally in Gangarampur, Shah claimed that such a move would be prevented if…

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‘Historic Reform’: Shazia Ilmi Hails Women’s Reservation Law

Bhubaneswar: : Shazia Ilmi on Tuesday termed the passage of the Nari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam a “historic and revolutionary” step, stating that it will ensure one-third representation for women in legislative bodies across the country. Addressing the media, the BJP leader said that for nearly three decades, the proposed legislation faced repeated delays despite being…

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Global Delegates Review India’s Election Preparedness Under IEVP 2026

Bhubaneswar: Delegates attending the International Election Visitors’ Programme 2026, organised by the Election Commission of India, undertook field visits to polling stations and EVM dispatch centres across multiple regions, including Assam, Kerala, and Puducherry. Observers from countries such as Samoa, Albania, Sierra Leone, and Georgia interacted with election officials on the ground, gaining insights into…

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