Punjab Newsline | Chandigarh
Punjab has announced the schedule for its long-awaited civic body elections, with voting set to take place on May 26 from 8 am to 5 pm, while counting of votes will be conducted on May 29.
The elections will cover 8 municipal corporations, 76 municipal councils and 21 nagar panchayats across the state. A total of 3,977 polling stations will be set up for the smooth conduct of the polls.
State Election Commissioner Dr. Raj Kamal Chaudhuri said that the elections will be conducted in a peaceful and transparent manner, with strict security arrangements in place. Over 36.72 lakh voters are registered, including around 18.99 lakh men, 17.73 lakh women and 226 others.
Nomination Process from May 13 to May 16
The nomination process will begin on May 13 and continue till May 16. Candidates can file nominations between 11 am and 3 pm by visiting the offices of returning officers, as the process will not be available online. Election symbols will also be allotted during this phase.
On May 18, scrutiny of nomination papers will be carried out, where candidates can raise objections before returning officers. May 19 will be the last date for withdrawal of nominations.
Strict Election Monitoring and Expenditure Limits
Candidates will be allowed to contest on party symbols as well. An affidavit will be mandatory along with nomination forms, and candidate profiles will be updated online for public access through a dedicated link.
Election expenditure limits have also been fixed: ₹4 lakh for municipal corporations, ₹3.60 lakh, ₹2.30 lakh and ₹2 lakh for different categories of municipal councils, and ₹1.40 lakh for nagar panchayats.
Heavy Security and Surveillance Arrangements
Authorities have planned extensive security arrangements, deploying around 35,500 police personnel and home guards, along with 36,000 election staff. Each polling booth will have five officials on duty.
Senior IAS and PCS officers will be deployed across districts. Arms will be deposited as per orders issued to Deputy Commissioners. CCTV cameras and videography will be used extensively, including inside and outside returning officers’ offices, to ensure full monitoring of the process.
The Election Commission has already imposed the Model Code of Conduct across the state.
