–Model Code of Conduct Effective Immediately
–Votes to Be Counted at Polling Stations on the Same Day
–Enhanced Security at Hypersensitive and Sensitive Locations
Chandigarh, December 8, 2024:
The Punjab State Election Commission has announced the schedule for elections to various Municipal Corporations, Councils, and Nagar Panchayats. The polls are slated for December 21, 2024, following a directive from the Local Government Department to complete the elections by the end of December.
Model Code of Conduct Enforced
With the announcement of the schedule, the Model Code of Conduct has come into immediate effect across the jurisdictions of the municipal bodies heading to polls. The guidelines are available on the Commission’s website (sec.punjab.gov.in) and will remain in force until the conclusion of the election process.
Final Electoral Rolls Published
The final electoral rolls for the upcoming elections were published on December 7, 2024. The total electorate comprises 37,32,636 registered voters, including 19,55,888 males, 17,76,544 females, and 204 others, with updates reflecting the special revisions made.
Key Election Dates
- Nomination Filing: Begins on December 9, 2024, from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.
- Last Date for Nominations: December 12, 2024, until 3 p.m.
- Scrutiny of Nominations: December 13, 2024
- Withdrawal of Candidature: December 14, 2024, until 3 p.m.
- Polling Day: December 21, 2024, from 7 a.m. to 4 p.m.
- Vote Counting: At polling stations immediately after voting ends.
Election Details and Security Arrangements
Polling will be conducted in 381 wards of Municipal Corporations and 598 wards of Municipal Councils/Nagar Panchayats using Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs). Adequate arrangements have been made to ensure a fair and peaceful election:
- Polling Locations: 1,609, with 3,809 polling booths.
- Security Categorization: 344 locations marked hypersensitive, 665 sensitive.
- Personnel Deployment: 21,500 police and Home Guard personnel, including additional forces at hypersensitive stations.
- Station Staffing:
- Single Polling Station: 3 personnel
- Double Polling Station: 4 personnel
- Triple Polling Station: 5 personnel
- Quad Polling Station: 6 personnel
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District Magistrates have been directed to assess the necessity of arms deposits under the Arms Act, while expenditure limits for candidates have been set as follows:
- Municipal Corporation: ₹4,00,000
- Municipal Council Class I: ₹3,60,000
- Municipal Council Class II: ₹2,30,000
- Municipal Council Class III: ₹2,00,000
- Nagar Panchayat: ₹1,40,000
Election Personnel and Observers
Approximately 23,000 election personnel, including Returning Officers (ROs), Assistant ROs, Presiding Officers, and Polling Officers, will be on duty. Additionally, 25 IAS/PCS officers will act as General Observers to ensure the elections are conducted smoothly.
Resources for Candidates and Voters
Specimen copies of Nomination Form 20 and Affidavit are available for download on the Commission’s website. The Punjab State Election Commission has assured voters of all necessary arrangements to conduct free, fair, and peaceful elections.
