Making the announcement at a press conference which began at 11.30 am here, the State Election Commissioner Aditya Prasad Padhi said the election will have five phases on February 16, 18, 20, 22 and 24. Polling will be held from 7 am to 1 pm.
The counting of votes will be done at Block sadar level on February 26,27 and 28, he added.
While the notification for the election will be released on January 13, candidates can file their nominations from January 17-21. Scrutiny of nomination papers will be conducted on January 22.
The final candidates list will be made public on January 25 after withdrawal of nominations by the desirous candidates by 3 pm.
Elections for Naib Sarpanch, Panchayat Samiti Chairman and Zilla Parishad Chairman will be held on March 11, 12 and 13 respectively.
With the declaration of polling dates the Model Code of Conduct for the Panchayat poll also came into effect in the State from today. It will remain in force till February 28.
Submitting fake affidavits by the candidates will attract punishment. All rallies and gatherings are banned and only door to door campaign with the participation of maximum five persons is allowed, said Padhi while making the announcement.
Only digital and virtual modes of campaign have been allowed this time in view of the Covid surge.