Bhubaneswar, Sep 19 (IANS): The process for the by-election for Kandhamal Lok Sabha constituency in Odisha was set in motion with the local returning officer issuing a notification Friday, an official said.

The by-poll was necessitated by the death of ruling Biju Janata Dal's sitting member Hemendra Chandra Singh Sep 5 following illness.

"The filing of nomination papers will start from Friday (today) and will continue till Sep 26. The election would be held Oct 15 and the counting of votes will take place Oct 19," N. Thirumala Naik, district returning officer and collector, told IANS.

The Kandhamal Lok Sabha constituency comprising seven assembly segments is spread over four districts - Kandhamal, Boudh, Nayagarh and Ganjam.

Although, it was not clear who will be the candidate of the ruling BJD, a party insider said it may field Singh's widow Pratyusha Rajeshwari Singh while the opposition Congress and the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) have yet to decide on their candidates.