With Punjab all set to witness a multi-cornered contest for the first time, the poll panel would officially set the ball rolling for state assembly elections on Tuesday by issuing notification for the February 20 ballot-battle, and starting the process of filing the nomination papers for 117 assembly constituencies.
For over the next six days, the aspiring candidates, including heavy weights and first timers, would be seen filing their nomination papers, making declarations, for all electors to decide on their representatives in the Assembly.
The candidates can file nomination papers from 11 am to 3 pm with the returning officer of their respective assembly constituency, from January 24 till February 1. The nomination papers cannot be filed on January 26 and January 30 being holidays. The scrutiny of nomination papers will take place on February 2, and nominations can be withdrawn till February 4.
Sharing the instructions issued by the Election Commission of India (ECI), Punjab’s Chief Electoral Officer Dr S Karuna Raju on Monday said that only two persons can accompany the candidate while filing nomination papers at the office of the Returning Officer.
“As per ECI’s instructions, the number of persons accompanying candidates at time for submission of nomination papers has been reduced from five to two, while the number of vehicles reduced to two from three,” he said.
Dr Raju said that the nomination papers are also made available on the website of CEO/DEO, which the candidates can fill up online and can be submitted along with the Notary certified affidavit.
Dr Raju said that to limit the crowd, Returning Officers could also get the nomination papers by calling the candidates at staggered time in advance. “Candidate may deposit security money through online mode at the designated platform. However, a candidate will continue to have the option of deposit in cash in the treasury. Candidates may also exercise to seek his or her elector certification for the purpose nomination online,” he added.
VALUABLES WORTH Rs 77.76 CRORES SEIZED IN PUNJAB AFTER ENFORCEMENT OF CODE: CEO PUNJAB
After the Model Code of Conduct came into force in the state for Punjab Vidhan Sabha elections, various enforcement teams have seized valuables worth Rs 77.76 crores in violation of code till January 23. CEO Dr Raju said that the surveillance teams have seized 12.78 lakh litres of liquor worth Rs 5.63 crore. Similarly, the enforcement wings have also recovered psychotropic substances amounting to Rs 56.76 crores besides confiscating unaccounted cash of Rs 14.31 crore, he added. He said as many as 1146 vulnerable hamlets have been identified. Besides this, 2574 persons have been identified as probable sources of trouble, he said adding that out of these persons preventive action had already been initiated against 1440 persons while the remaining would also be brought to book. He also informed that from a security point of view 299 persons have been bound down under preventive sections of CrPC act.
He informed that as many as 2373 cases of non-bailable warrants have been executed, while execution in 169 cases is under process. As many as 9797 nakas are operational across the State, he added. As per the directions of the election commission, Dr Raju said that of total 3,90,275 licensed weapons in the state 370617 weapons have been deposited till date. Whereas, 41 without licenses weapons were seized in the state.
