On February 4, when nearly 1.98 crore electorates, comprising more than 50 per cent youngsters, will exercise their franchise in 22,600 polling stations covering 117 Assembly constituencies across the state, Punjab is set to witness an election of many firsts.
For the first time, the Election Commission has asked the contesting candidates to furnish an affidavit declaring that no dues are pending against his name to the Government.
The affidavit, regarding the dues, in the form of electricity or water bill, telephone bill or any other fees including house rent, has to be submitted along with the nomination papers.
Along with that, the candidates also have to declare, in their nomination papers, that they are the “citizen of India” — something happening for the first time. “Earlier, it was deemed that the candidate is an Indian citizen, but this time, they have to make this declaration in their nomination papers,” said Punjab Chief Electoral Officer VK Singh on Wednesday.
Singh announced that for the first time, the Voter Verified Paper Audit Trail (VVPAT) enabled electronic voting machines would also be used in 35 constituencies, out of the total 117, in Punjab.
“We have taken certain factors into account like logistic challenges, sensitivity of the constituency, and also if the constituency is high profile…These will preferably be used at district headquarters during the polls,” he said.
VVPAT is a method of providing feedback to the voters. Attached to the EVM, it help the electors verify that their vote has been cast correctly.
In another first, an Assistant Commissioner of Income Tax will be stationed at each district “who have the powers to conduct search on the premises on complaint against any individual”.
Singh added that this time, the candidates will have to bear the expenses of polling booths being set up near the polling stations and not by the party as earlier.
In fact, for the first time, the Election Commission would set up ‘voters’ assistance booths’ at the polling locations to assist and guide the voters. “Thus, there is no need for the candidates or the parties to set up their booths…this time, the commission would do what they used to do,” he said.
Besides making the polling booths disabled-friendly, he Commission has also decided to facilitate them in casting their votes. The Commission has tied up with several NGOs and identified around 70,000 such voters to whom assistance like pick-and-drop facility, wheel chairs, among others, will be provided.
“About 55,000 have been registered and we are making effort to get more of such people get their votes made,” he said.
Adding that the Commission has taken some Information Technology (IT)-enabled initiatives, he said an al-inclusive Complaint Monitoring System has been set up at the Commission's office.
“So far, we have received around 400-500 complaints and 50 percent of these have been resolved. Most of these complaints were regarding not getting the EPIC,” he said.
He said that a 24X7 toll free number — 1950 — has been set up to receive complaints. Besides, complaints can also be made online on Commission’s ‘Samadhan’ portal, he said adding that here, complaints will be redressed within 24 hours.
Similarly, a single window IT system has also been set up for giving permissions, Suwidha. “Here people can apply for permissions and approval will be given in 24 hours. Now, candidates don’t have to run from here and there, and it would be the responsibility of the nodal officer,” he added.
Singh further informed that around 6,000 pockets in different polling stations have been identified as vulnerable after conducting through analysis and adequate security arrangements will be made there.
He added that the maximum expenditure limit per candidate has been fixed at Rs 28 lakh.
“Webcasting will be done on 4,000 polling stations. 165 NRIs have been registered as voters and they will have to come to Punjab to exercise their franchise,” he said adding that EVMs will be allowed for defence personnel at few constituencies.
Announcing poll schedule, Singh said that election notification will be issued on January 11 and the nominations can be made from the same day till January 18. “Nominations can be withdrawn by January 21 and the polling will take place on February 4. The results will be declared on March 11,” he said.
So far, a total of 1,97,49,964 voters have get themselves registered including 93,09,274 female and 1,04,40,310 males, besides 380 belonging to the third gender. Out of this, 1.04 crore, that is 53 percent, are aged between 18 and 39 years.
“We have worked really hard to encourage the people and get their votes made…we will continue the momentum and now will ask them to vote also,” said VK Singh.
He informed that the eligible voters can still get their voter identity card made by January 9. Electoral rolls will be published on January 5, he said, adding that new voters can get registered by January 9.