Unprecedented rush of contestants in Patiala

An unprecedented rush of aspiring candidates was witnessed on the final day for filing nomination papers for the upcoming panchayat elections in Patiala. Both men and women formed long queues at the centres where nomination forms for 1,022 gram panchayats were being received. Minor scuffles were reported in some areas, but adequate police arrangements ensured overall order.

Patiala district, with 9,20,426 registered voters —4,84,608 male and 4,35,804 female — saw the highest voter count in Nabha block (1,26,482), followed by Patran (1,03,089) and Samana (98,680). Of the 1,022 seats, 313 have been reserved for the SC category, including 156 seats for women. Another 709 seats have been reserved for the general category, of which 355 are designated for women.

The elections will take place across 6,272 blocks, with voting to be held in 997 polling stations and 1,402 booths across the district.

One of the candidates, 62-year-old Pawanjit Kaur from the Tarra village, voiced her concerns. “We want better sanitation facilities, roads, a school playground, and a community health centre. Our village has been neglected for years, and we are fed up with political interference. We want development,” she said.

Block Development and Panchayat Officer (BDPO) offices remained open during the holidays to issue NOCs and chullah tax receipts to aspiring candidates. District officials noted that the list of candidates is being compiled, with scrutiny of nomination papers scheduled for October 5. The deadline for withdrawing nominations is October 7.

Voting for over 13,000 gram panchayats across Punjab is set for October 15, with vote counting to occur that same evening. The State Election Commission, which announced the election date on September 25, has set an expenditure limit of Rs 40,000 for sarpanch candidates and Rs 30,000 for those running for panch.