Chandigarh, Dec 2: Candidates contesting the Punjab panchayat elections will no longer need a No Objection Certificate or No Dues Certificate to file nominations, the State Election Commission (SEC) has announced, easing a process that had drawn complaints from several parties.
Referring to its earlier September 26 notification, the SEC said candidates who are unable to secure the certificates may submit an affidavit asserting they owe no taxes or dues — including the chulha tax — and are not in illegal possession of local authority property, as required under Section 11 of the Punjab State Election Commission Act, 1994.
The change came after Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) candidates reported difficulties in procuring clearances, especially for the chulha tax, a traditional levy assessed per cooking stove. SAD legal cell head Arshdeep Singh Kler said his party had sought intervention from the SEC and the High Court. “This notification has simplified the process, but it was not publicised adequately,” he directly said.
Returning Officers have been instructed to accept affidavits attested by an Executive Magistrate, Oath Commissioner or Notary Public. The documents will then be forwarded to the concerned authority, which must respond within 24 hours. If no reply is received, the nominee will be presumed clear of dues.
Nominations for Zila Parishad and Panchayat Samiti elections are open from December 1 to 4 until 3 p.m., according to the Department of Rural Development and Panchayats.
The chulha tax, once collected routinely by panchayats and nominally priced, appears mainly during elections when candidates require proof of cleared dues.
