Panchayat elections announced in Punjab; voting to be held on October 15

Chandigarh (Punjab) [India], September 25 (ANI): The Punjab State Commission Election on Wednesday announced the schedule for the Punjab Panchayat Elections and said that the voting will take place across the state on October 15.
Raj Kamal Chaudhuri, Punjab State Election Commissioner, said that the Model Code of Conduct has been implemented in all the panchayats where polling is to be held.
"Punjab State Commission Election has today announced the dates of Gram Panchayat elections, to be conducted in the state...The elections will be held on October 15...On September 27, nomination filing will start...Model Code of Conduct has been implemented in all the panchayats where pollings are to be held...On October 7, withdrawal candidates' names can be done," Chaudhuri said, addressing the media.
In a press note of the State Election Commission, Punjab said, "With the announcement of the Election Schedule, the Model Code of Conduct for Gram Panchayat Elections for the guidance of candidates and State has come into force with immediate effect, which will remain in force till the completion of the electoral process."
According to the Commission, the poll will be held on October 15 from 8:00 am. to 4:00 p.m. through the use of ballot boxes.
"The polled votes will be counted on the same day at the polling station itself, after the completion of polling of votes. As per the election schedule announced by the Commission, the period for filing of nominations by candidates will commence from 27th September, 2024 (Friday) (between 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. in the offices of the concerned Returning Officers). The last date for filing nominations will be 04.10.2074 (Friday). No nominations will be accepted on 29.09.2024, being public holiday under the Negotiable Instruments Act. Scrutiny of the Nomination papers would take place on 05.10.2024 (Saturday). The last date for withdrawal of Nominations is 07.10.2024 (Monday) (upto 3:00 pm.)," the Commission stated.
The polling would be held for 13.237 Sarpanches and 83,437 Panches.
"Total electorate consists of 1,33,97,922 registered voters (consisting of 70,51,722 males). 63,46,008 females, and 192 others). The expenditure limit notified for a candidate contesting for the post of Sarpanch is Rs. 40,000/-, whereas for Panch the expenditure limit has been fixed at Rs. 30,000," it added.
The commission said that about 96,000 personnel would be deputed on election duty, 23 senior, IAS/PCS officers would be appointed as General Observers in the districts so as to ensure smooth ad peaceful conduct of the polls at 19,110 polling booths.
It further stated that the Commission has made all the arrangements to conduct the election in a free, fair, and peaceful manner. (ANI)