Punjab: Nomination process made easier for candidates

Punjab: In a major relief to candidates contesting the upcoming panchayat elections in the state on October 15, the State Election Commission has issued new guidelines under which candidates will be allowed to file affidavits stating that they do not owe any taxes or dues to the panchayat nor are they in unauthorised occupation of property of local authorities. The change means that candidates are no longer required to submit a no objection certificate (NOC) while filing nomination papers, which was mandatory earlier.

The responsibility of verifying the veracity of these affidavits now rests on the concerned government departments, which had issued NOCs earlier. These departments will have to send their report on the affidavits within 24 hours of receiving them from the returning officer. Failing to do so, it will be presumed that the candidate is not a defaulter or has not unauthorisedly occupied government property.

Punjab Pradesh Congress Committee chief Amarinder Singh Raja Waring welcomed the decision, saying opposition candidates often face harassment on NOC-related issues due to political motives. The panchayat elections will see the election of 13,237 sarpanches and 83,437 panches across the state, and counting of votes will take place at the respective polling stations on the same day. In some areas, candidates are being elected unopposed.