The chief Electoral Officer Punjab, V.K.Singh, today issued directions to all heads of the departments and deputy commissioners of the state to strictly implement Model Code of Conduct and ensure its compliance in letter and spirit. Mr. Singh earlier had a video conference with the deputy commissioners and issued these directions while reviewing the preparations for the Punjab Assembly Election -2017. Briefing the media, Mr. Singh said that the elections to 117 assembly constituencies in Punjab would be held on February 4, 2017(Sat). Last date for making nominations would be January 18, 2017(Wed) while scrutiny of nominations would be done on January, 19 (Thu). The date of withdrawal of candidature has been fixed on January 21, 2017(Sat) whereas date of counting has been fixed for March 11, 2017(Sat).
Giving the highlights, Mr. Singh said that it is for the first time that 35 high profile and sensitive constituencies would have EVM Machines attached with VVPAT in which every vote cast would have a printed record. He said that ECI was committed to ensure free and fair polls in the state for which to Apps i.e. Samadhan and Suvidha have been launched and the complaints registered in Samadhan would be redressed within 24 hours. In another IT App Suvidha, candidates can apply for various permissions for rallies etc which would be dealt on line within 24 hours.Mr. Singh also said that cash carrying limit has been fixed up to 50,000 if a person is carrying more than the allowed amount was liable to action. Static Surveillance teams and flying squads have been operational all across the state to check the misuse of money power, liquor and narcotics. He said that adequate security forces have been deployed for conducting free and fair electoral process in the state. More than 100 observers have been stationed in the state during elections and they would be reaching the state on January 18, 2017 to oversee the poll process.