The State Election Commissioner, Raj Kamal Chaudhari, announced that Punjab will conduct elections for 104 local bodies, including eight Municipal Corporations, on May 26. The nomination process for candidates will take place from May 13 to May 16, with scrutiny on May 18 and withdrawal by May 19. The State Election Commission has mandated videography during the nomination filing for transparency.
Polling is scheduled for May 26 from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., with ballot counting on May 29 at designated centers. The total registered voters amount to 36,72,932, comprising 18,98,990 men, 17,73,716 women, and 226 others. To facilitate the elections, 3,977 polling stations will be set up across districts.
The expenditure limit set by the commission for a candidate contesting in a Municipal Corporation is Rs 4,00,000. For Municipal Councils, the limits are Rs 3,60,000 for Class I, Rs 2,30,000 for Class II, and Rs 2,00,000 for Class III; for Nagar Panchayats, it is Rs 1,40,000. Over 36,000 election personnel and 35,500 police personnel will be deployed for election duties.
Senior officers will serve as observers in each district to ensure proper monitoring. The district security plan has been devised under the overall supervision of the District Magistrate, as stated by the State Election Commissioner. The commission has assured that all necessary arrangements have been made to ensure fair, free, and peaceful elections.
With the election schedule announced, the Model Code of Conduct has been enforced immediately within the jurisdiction of all Municipal Corporations, Municipal Councils, and Nagar Panchayats where elections are scheduled. This Code will remain in effect until the electoral process is completed.
