CHANDIGARH, November 28 — The State Election Commission of Punjab announced Friday that Zila Parishad and Panchayat Samiti elections will be held on December 14, with counting and results on December 17.
With the announcement, the model code of conduct is now in effect. Political parties will contest on their own symbols, and 50 per cent of seats are reserved for women.
State Election Commissioner Raj Kamal Chaudhari said, “1.36 crore voters will cast their votes across 23 Zila Parishads and 154 Panchayat Samitis. Adequate arrangements are being made, including deployment of election and police observers for sensitive and hyper-sensitive areas.”
Chaudhari said there will be 19,181 polling booths. Candidates for Zila Parishad must pay Rs 400, and Panchayat Samiti candidates Rs 200. Nominations will be accepted from December 1–4, papers scrutinised on December 5, and withdrawals permitted until December 6.
The elections, due since May, were postponed several times due to floods in August and September. Analysts say the polls, held close to the next Assembly elections, will serve as a gauge of party strength in the state.
