A delegation of the Election Commission of India (ECI) will visit Odisha on September 13 to discuss the state’s preparedness for an election.

The delegation will also hold talks with the district collectors.

The ECI visit has triggered speculation about early general elections.

Besides the Lok Sabha election, the Assembly election is also due in the state in 2024.

Chief electoral officer (CEO), Odisha, Nikunja Bihari Dhal on Tuesday said: “The VVPAT machines have arrived in nine districts. All EVMS and VVPATs will be examined in the first week of October and those will continue till November 15."

On being asked whether ECI officials' visit indicated the possibility of an early election, Dhal downplayed it and said: “The visit is a usual process and it has nothing to do with an early election”.

Terming the election as the largest festival of democracy, Dhal said: “A lot of effort is needed. We have to train people, prepare and print manuals, and acquire different materials. We are very much on track to do the election as per the schedule to be announced by the Election Commission of India."

However, Dhal has maintained that elections will not be held before November 15 as time is required to examine the EVMS and VVPATs.

When reporters further insisted to know whether there would be an early election, Dhal said: “The Election Commission of India will take a call when the election will be held. I cannot comment.”

Smelling an early election, all the major political parties including the BJD, the BJP and the Congress have intensified their activities.

The ruling Biju Janata Dal (BJD) has almost completed its groundwork ahead of others. The BJD-led government has already launched a series of programmes and announced a slew of welfare programmes including Ama Odisha, Nabin Odisha (Our Odisha, New Odisha) for the people of the state.

On behalf of chief minister Naveen Patnaik, his private secretary V.K. Pandian is touring the districts, meeting people, and taking grievances directly from them. Even on behalf of the chief minister, he also announced monetary provisions for different schemes and assured people that their grievances would be addressed within a specific time frame. However, Pandian’s visit to the districts has not gone down well with the Opposition parties. Pandian almost toured more than 27 districts out of the 30 districts.

The Youth Congress and Mahila Congress on Tuesday protested Pandian’s visit to the Jajpur district. They asked how could an officer visit the districts and address public meetings.

BJD MLA Captain Dibya Shankar Mishra said: “We are working hard to implement the chief minister’s vision for the upliftment of the people. The party is always ready for the election.”

BJP MLA Mukesh Mahalinga said: “At the organisational level, we are ready for an election.”

Senior BJP leaders including Union home minister Amit Shah already visited the state and discussed the party’s strategy for the upcoming elections.

Senior Congress MLA Suresh Kumar Routray said: “The party is always ready for the election. My son will contest from my seat (Jatani) this time.”

Now, the bigger question is whether Odisha will go for Assembly and parliamentary elections simultaneously or they will be held separately. Odisha always prefers that elections for both Assembly and Lok Sabha are held simultaneously.