Elections for Punjab's Municipal Bodies Set for December 21
The elections for municipal corporations, councils, and nagar panchayats (urban civic bodies) in Punjab are scheduled for December 21, as announced by the state's election commission.
During a press conference on Sunday, State Election Commissioner Raj Kamal Chaudhary announced that the model code of conduct is now in effect in the designated areas and all essential preparations have been made to ensure the elections are conducted in a free, fair, and peaceful manner.
He announced that voting will take place on December 21 from 7:00 am to 4:00 pm, and the vote counting will occur at the polling station on the same day once the polling concludes.
Filing of Nominations From December 9
The nomination filing process starts on December 9 and ends on December 12, with scrutiny of the papers scheduled for December 13 and the final date for withdrawing nominations set for December 14. Elections will take place for 381 municipal corporation wards and 598 municipal council and nagar panchayat wards.
Instructions Issued Regarding Arms and Ammunition
The State Election Commissioner announced that directives have been given concerning the prohibition of carrying weapons, and the District Magistrate, as the competent authority, will evaluate the necessity of depositing the arms.
He mentioned that the final electoral rolls for the municipal elections were published on December 7, and copies are accessible at the relevant Registration Officers (SDMs) and other pertinent offices. He also noted that nomination form 20 and a sample affidavit can be downloaded from the Commission's website sec.punjab.gov.in for voters' convenience.
Expenditure Limit for Candidates Fixed at Rs 4 lakh
Candidates running in the municipal elections have a spending limit of Rs 4 lakh, while those contesting for Municipal Council Class I have a limit of Rs 3.6 lakh, Rs 2.3 lakh for Municipal Council Class II, and Rs 2 lakh for Municipal Council Class III. He mentioned that the spending cap for candidates participating in the Nagar Panchayat elections has been set at Rs 1.4 lakh.
[Agency]