The State Election Commissioner, Punjab Jagpal Singh Sandhu today announced the schedule for the elections of 13276 Panchayats of the State. With the announcement of the schedule, the 'Model Code of Conduct' has come into force immediately in the State. The Code of Conduct would be in force till the completion of the electoral process.Elaborating more Mr. Jagpal Singh Sandhu said that the process for filing the nominations would commence on 15 December, 2018 and 19 December, 2018 would be the last date for filing the nominations. The nominations papers would be scrutinized on 20th December, 2018 while the date for withdrawal of the nominations would be 21st December, 2018 which would also be the date for allotting the election symbols to the candidates. The voting would be held on 30 December, 2018 from 8 AM till 4 PM and counting of votes would be held same day after concluding polling of votes.
A total of 40 to 50 observers would be appointed to ensure smooth and peaceful conduct of the polls.Mr. Sandhu said that 13276 Sarpanchs would be elected for 13276 Panchayats in the state. He further said that 83831 Panches would be elected for 13276 Panchayats, from which 17811 seats for Scheduled Castes, 12634 for Scheduled Caste Women, 22690 for General category Women, 4381 for Backward Classes and 26315 for General category.Mr. Sandhu also said that the there are total 12787395 registered voters in the state for these elections, out of which 6688245 male, 6066245 female and 97 third gender voters. State Election Commission has established 17268 polling booths and 86340 personnel will be deputed on election duty.The State Election Commissioner further said that the expenditure limit for a candidate contesting for the post of Sarpanch has been fixed at Rs 30,000 where as the limit for those contesting for post of Panch has been fixed at Rs. 20,000.