Elections for the Chandigarh Municipal Corporation would be held on December 24 and results would be announced on December 27, State election commissioner, UT, SK Srivastav announced on Monday.

As per the announced schedule, the nomination process will start from November 27 and will continue till December 4. With the announcement, the model code of conduct has come into force with immediate effect, Srivsatav said.

This time around 6.30 lakh voters will exercise their voting rights in MC polls.

In the recently held draw of lots for MC polls, which were held in the presence of representatives of political parties at the UT Guest House, ward Nos. 7, 16, 19, 24, 26, 28 and 31 were reserved for the SC candidates. Out of the seven wards, ward Nos. 16, 19 and 28 were reserved for the SC woman candidates.

Similarly, out of the total 35 wards, ward Nos. 1, 4, 5, 6, 9, 10, 18, 22 and 23 were reserved for the woman (general) candidates.  In comparison to last MC polls in 2016, the number of wards this time has increased from 26 to 35 wards.

Srivastava said the election campaigning can be held from 10 am to 7 pm and it will end 72 hours before polling day. Chandigarh has a total of 6.3 lakh voters, comprising 3.3 lakh male, 2.99 lakh female and 17 third gender. The voting will be conducted from 7.30 am to 5 pm on December 24. Special arrangements will be made for Covid-19 patients. They will be able to vote in the last one hour of voting, he added.

The Election Commissioner said the wards have been increased from 26 to 35 so the number of polling booths has been increased from 474 to 694. According to the SEC, the scrutiny of nominations will be held on December 6 and the last date of withdrawal is December 9. A control room shall be made to monitor the daily activities of the elections.

The State Election Commissioner stated that this time, a candidate can incur expenditure up to Rs 5 lakh. Observers have been appointed to check the expenditure of each candidate. A daily report will have to be submitted in this regard to the Election Commissioner. A special mobile application is also being launched so that the voters can know about the candidate who is being fielded from the ward. “Also, any complaints of violation of model code of conduct can be filed there through the app,” Srivastava said.