The schedule for the much-awaited elections of 105 municipal bodies in the state has been declared by the Punjab State Election Commission on Monday. Voting is set to take place on May 26 and counting will be held on May 29. The elections will cover eight municipal corporations, 76 municipal councils and 21 nagar panchayats across Punjab. Voting will be conducted from 8 am to 5 pm.
Addressing reporters here, State Election Commissioner Dr Raj Kamal Chaudhuri said the elections will be conducted in the following eight municipal corporations: Mohali, Bathinda, Abohar, Barnala, Kapurthala, Moga, Batala and Pathankot. All necessary arrangements have been made to ensure peaceful, free and transparent elections in urban local bodies across Punjab, he added.
As per the announced schedule, the filing of will nominations will start on May 13 and continue till May 16. Candidates can submit their nomination papers between 11 am and 3 pm at the offices of the returning officers. Poll symbols will be allotted after the nomination process is completed.
Nomination papers cannot be filed online and candidates would need to personally visit the designated election offices to submit their papers, the Election Commission added. However, all candidate details and election-related information will be made available online for public access.
Scrutiny of nomination papers will take place on May 18. During this process, candidates and their representatives will be allowed to raise objections before the returning officer. The last date for withdrawal of nominations has been fixed as May 19.
Officials also confirmed that candidates will be allowed to contest elections on party symbols. Political parties have already been informed regarding the procedures. Candidates will also be required to submit affidavits along with their nomination papers.
Around 3,977 polling stations will be set up for the polls, all located in urban areas. The Election Commission said nearly 36.72 lakh voters are eligible to vote. In view of the elections, more than 35,000 personnel from the Punjab Police will be deployed to ensure safety and security.
With the announcement of the election schedule, the Model Code of Conduct has come into immediate effect in all concerned urban local bodies. The Punjab government has been told about the enforcement of the code of conduct and administrative transfers and policy decisions related to these areas will now remain restricted.
To promote transparency, all information linked to elections, including profiles of candidates and daily updates, will be uploaded on a dedicated public portal accessible to citizens.
Senior IAS and PCS officers will oversee election arrangements across districts. Authorities have also ordered videography of the entire nomination and voting process. CCTV cameras will be installed inside as well as outside the offices of returning officers.
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