Panchayat elections: All set for polls as Punjab and Haryana High Court dismisses all petitions against elections

Panchayat elections: The Punjab and Haryana High Court has cleared the way for the panchayat elections in Punjab by dismissing all petitions filed against the elections. Nearly 170 petitions were submitted, with the majority concerning issues related to reservations. Additional petitions raised concerns about the allocation of family members' votes across different wards and matters related to the "Chulha Tax."

The court has directed the Punjab Government to rectify all related issues, ensuring that the election process proceeds without further hindrance.

The Punjab and Haryana High Court has also ordered the Punjab Government to resolve, within five days, any cases where the votes of members of the same family have been assigned to different wards. The court has instructed the government to settle the pending "Chulha Tax" dues of candidates by the end of the day.

Notably, elections to over 13,000 gram panchayats in Punjab will be held on October 15. The model code of conduct is already in force in the state. According to the schedule, the nominations filing process started on September 27 and October 4 is the last date for the same. Polling would be held from 8 am to 4 pm on October 15 through ballot boxes. The counting of votes will take place the same day at the polling stations. 

The expenditure limit for the candidate contesting for the sarpanch post is Rs 40,000 whereas for that of the post of panch is Rs 30,000.