PANCHAYAT ELECTIONS: 16,276 left in fray for 7,332 posts of sarpanch, panch
As many as 16,276 candidates were left in the poll fray for 7,332 posts of sarpanch and panch in 941 villages across 13 blocks in the district, the officials concerned said.
While 3,645 nominees were vying for 941 posts of sarpanch, another 12,631 contestants were left for 6,391 posts of panch, the Additional Deputy Commissioner (Rural Development) said.
He said as many as 671 nomination papers had been rejected during the scrutiny for various reasons, sparking exchange of allegations and counter-allegations between the ruling and Opposition parties.
While the Congress and the Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) alleged ‘widespread political vendetta’ to keep the opponents away from the Panchayati Raj elections, the ruling AAP leaders defended the rejection of nomination papers, saying it was a part of the electoral process laid down.
While scrutiny of nomination papers was held on Saturday, the last date for withdrawal of nominations was Monday. The polling, wherever required, will be held on October 15 from 8 am to 4 pm through the use of ballot boxes. Results will be declared after counting of the votes on the same day at the polling stations.
Sharing details, the ADC said 3,779 nomination papers were received for the posts of sarpanch and 13,168 for the posts of panch, of which 134 nominations for the post of sarpanch and 537 for the post of panch were rejected due to various shortcomings.
He said the scrutiny of nomination papers was conducted as per the laid down norms and the papers not conforming to the Election Commission mandate were rejected while the remaining 3,645 nominees for sarpanch and 12,631 for the posts of panch were cleared for the contest.
The block-wise break-up of nominees left for the posts of sarpanch revealed that 169 candidates were in the poll fray for 46 posts in Dehlon, 239 for 62 posts in Doraha, 403 for 81 posts in Jagraon, 259 for 67 posts in Khanna, 425 for 109 posts in Ludhiana-1, 564 for 160 posts in Ludhiana-2, 380 for 116 posts in Machhiwara, 193 for 48 posts in Maloud, 174 for 39 posts in Pakhowal, 146 for 42 posts in Raikot, 222 for 62 posts in Samrala, 271 for 61 posts in Sidhwan Bet and 200 candidates were in the fray for 48 posts in Sudhar block.
For the posts of panch, 733 nominations have been filed for 342 posts in Dehlon block, 904 for 420 posts in Doraha, 1,278 for 589 posts in Jagraon, 900 for 451 posts in Khanna, 1,529 for 775 posts in Ludhiana-1, 1,808 for 1,020 posts in Ludhiana-2, 1,116 for 660 posts in Machhiwara, 712 for 326 posts in Maloud, 690 for 305 posts in Pakhowal, 642 for 312 posts in Raikot, 726 for 410 posts in Samrala, 837 for 383 posts in Sidhwan Bet and 756 candidates were vying for 398 posts in Sudhar block.
According to the election schedule, the filing of nominations that had commenced from September 27 will end on October 4. Scrutiny of nomination papers will take place on October 5 and the last date for withdrawal of nominations is October 7.
Polling will be held from 8 am to 4 pm on October 15 through ballot boxes. Results will be declared after counting of the votes on the same day at the polling stations following the completion of polling.
The expenditure limit for a candidate contesting for the post of sarpanch has been fixed at Rs 40,000 whereas those in the fray for the post of panch can spend a maximum of Rs 30,000.
As many as 96,000 personnel have been deputed on election duty with 23 senior IAS and PCS officers appointed as general observers to ensure smooth and peaceful conduct of the polls at 19,110 polling booths across the state.
The panchayat elections were announced after the Punjab Assembly had last month passed the Punjab Panchayati Raj (Amendment) Bill, 2024 for holding polls to elect sarpanch and panch without the symbols of political parties. This has brought an end to the direct contest between the recognised political parties.
