Punjab State Election Commission on Friday issued notification for the election of 145 Panchayat Samitis and 22 Zila Parishads in the State on May 19.
With the issuance of notification, the Model Code of Conduct came into force which would remain in force till May 23, till the completion of the election process, stated an official spokesperson of the State Election Commission (SEC).
As per the notification, the process of filing of nomination papers has started from Friday, May 3, and would last till May 7. Scrutiny of the nomination papers would be done on May 8, and the papers could be withdrawn up to May 9.
The counting of votes would be done on May 21, and the results would be announced on the same day.
The spokesperson added that voting on May 19 would start at 8 am, and continue till 4 pm, while the counting of votes would be started at 8 am on May 21. Issuing the notification for the Panchayat Samiti and Zila Parishad polls, Punjab State Election Commission (SEC) on Friday issued strict directions for the compliance of model code of conduct.
The SEC has also written a letter to the Chief Secretary for ensuring the compliance of conduct. It has been clarified that the Model Code of Conduct would be applicable only in the villages which directly come under the revenue jurisdiction of concerned Panchayat Samitis and Zila Parishads.
SEC official spokesman, while giving details of the letter, said that during the election process, the ministers shall not combine their official visit with electioneering work and shall not make use of official machinery and personnel or other Government resources including Government vehicle for furtherance of interests of any candidate. Official telephones including mobiles, fax etc shall not be used for electioneering purposes.
The Commission has asked the Ministers and other authorities not to sanction grants or payments from their discretionary funds as elections have been announced by the Commission.
Further, they should not announce any financial grant in any form or promises thereof or make any promise of constructions of road, provision of drinking water facility etc or make any adhoc appointment in Government public undertaking etc which may have the effect of influencing the voters in favour of the party in power.
The Commission has asked the Chief Secretary to ensure that the Ministers or other authorities shall not sanction any new scheme or make any announcement of any new scheme. Moreover, laying of foundation stone etc of a project or a scheme of any kind shall not be done during the period of election.
An official spokesman further added that the use of rest houses, circuit houses and other Government accommodation should be permitted to all the candidates and the political parties on the same terms and conditions on which the Minister has accepted the invitation during his election tour.
The loud speakers shall be used only between 7 am to 10 pm . No party or candidate shall hold public meeting or processions without obtaining necessary permission from the competent local Authority. Places of worship such as temples, mosques, churches etc. shall not be used as forum for election propaganda.