Bhubaneswar: The electoral contest for the 71-Nuapada Assembly By-Election is set to be a 14-cornered fight, as the deadline for the withdrawal of nomination papers concluded today with no candidate opting out. The final list of contestants includes candidates from major political parties and a significant number of Independents.
The last date for withdrawal of nominations was October 24, 2025, with candidates permitted to withdraw their papers between 11:00 AM and 3:00 PM. The decision by all eligible candidates to stay in the fray has solidified a field of 14 for the upcoming by-poll. The entire election process is scheduled for completion by Sunday, November 16, 2025.
The key contenders include:
- Shri Jay Dholakia from the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)
- Smt. Snehangini Chhuria from the Biju Janata Dal (BJD)
- Shri Ghasiram Majhi from the Indian National Congress (INC)
- Shri Ramakanta Hati from the Samajwadi Party
- Shri Hemant Tandi from the Bahujan Mukti Party
- Shri Shukadhar Dandsena from the Odisha Janata Dal
In addition to the six party-affiliated candidates, the by-election will see a strong presence of eight Independent candidates: Shri Ashraya Mahandan, Er. Chakranta Jena, Shri Bhuvan Lal Sahu, Shri Kishore Kumar Bag, Smt. Nita Bag, Shri Lakshmikant Tandi, Shri Bhaktabandhu Dharua, and Shri Lochan Majhi.
The process has already seen the rejection of five nomination papers during the scrutiny phase. The rejected candidates were Shri Rajaram Sahu of the Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP), Shri Sitaram Behera of the Rastriya Paribartan Dal, and three Independent candidates—Shri Kamal Kumar Chhatria, Shri Purushottam Behera, and Shri Bhujabal Adabangu.
With the final list of 14 contestants officially announced, campaigning is expected to intensify across the constituency ahead of the polling date.