Shimla, Dec 21
State Election Commisssion has declared Panchayti Raj polls in the state.
According to the notification issued here, the voting will be held in three phases on January 17, 19 and 21, and election process will end by January 23.
With the declaration of Panchayati Raj polls, the State Election Commission has clamped the Election Code of Conduct in the entire state from today onwards. Government can not make any announcement regarding new development works and no new work can be started in the state. New tenders will not be allotted for any purpose.
All banners and hoardings promoting the state government will also be removed.
Government machinery will also not be used in election. campaigning. However, the development works which are already being done will be able to continue.
Panchayat Panchayat polls are held for panches, sarpanches, up- pradhans of panchayats, block samittee and zila parishad members. Nominations will be filed between from December 31 to to January 2. Nominations will be scrutinized on January 4. Candidates can withdraw their nominations by January 6.
On January 6, the list of the candidates with poll symbols will be issued. Voting will be held in three phases on January 17, 19 and 21 from 8 am to 4 pm. Counting will start immediately after the polls.
The list of polling stations will be published before December 31. The election process will be completed by January 23.
Meanwhile the state election commission on December 17 had also announced elections for 50 municipal councils and nagar panchayats for which the poll shall be held on January 10. For Urban Local Bodies, the electoral code of conduct was enforced with effect from that date. The dates for filling of nomination papers for ULBs are Dec 24, 26 and 28, scrutiny on Dec 29 and last day of withdrawal of nominations Dec 31.
However with the notification of PRI polls, the Model Election Code of Conduct has come into force in the state.
This time panchayat elections are being held in the COVID-19 pandemic situation. The Election Commission will issue guidelines for campaigning and voting.
