Chandigarh: Punjab State Election Commissioner Dr. Raj Kamal Chaudhary has officially announced the schedule for the upcoming local body elections, marking a significant moment for the province’s democratic process. Voting is scheduled to take place on May 26 from 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM, with the counting of ballots and the declaration of results to follow on May 29. The elections will encompass eight major municipal corporations, including Mohali, Bathinda, Abohar, Barnala, Kapurthala, Moga, Batala, and Pathankot, in addition to 76 municipal councils and 21 nagar panchayats. Following this announcement, the model code of conduct has been implemented immediately across the state, which includes a strict ban on official transfers and other government actions that could influence the electorate.
The nomination process is slated to begin on May 13 and will continue through May 16, allowing candidates to file their papers between 11:00 AM and 3:00 PM. While the administrative details will be updated online for public viewing, the actual filing must be done in person at the respective returning officer’s office. To maintain order, candidates are permitted to be accompanied by only four individuals during the filing process. The scrutiny of nomination papers is scheduled for May 18, providing a formal opportunity for candidates to address any objections or technical rejections. Those wishing to withdraw their candidacy will have until May 19 to do so, after which the final list of contestants and their respective election symbols will be finalized.
A total of approximately 3.67 million voters are eligible to participate in this election cycle, consisting of roughly 1.89 million men, 1.77 million women, and 226 voters identifying as third gender. To accommodate this large electorate, the commission has established 3,977 polling stations. The election commission has also set clear expenditure limits to ensure fair competition, with municipal corporation candidates allowed to spend up to 4 lakh Rupees. Candidates for municipal councils face tiered limits of 3.60 lakh, 2.30 lakh, or 2 lakh Rupees depending on the council’s classification, while those contesting for nagar panchayats are restricted to a maximum of 1.40 lakh Rupees. Candidates are permitted to run on official party symbols, and all must submit a mandatory affidavit alongside their nomination forms.
To ensure the safety and integrity of the voting process, a massive security and administrative apparatus has been mobilized. Over 35,500 police personnel and home guard volunteers will be deployed to secure the booths, with each polling station manned by at least five officials. A total of 36,000 civil employees will be involved in the overall election management, with senior IAS and PCS officers designated to supervise operations across the various districts. Additionally, the commission has ordered the use of videography both inside and outside the returning officers’ chambers to monitor the nomination process closely. District Commissioners have also been instructed to collect licensed firearms from residents to prevent any potential for violence during the campaign and polling periods.
