Chandigarh: The Punjab and Haryana High Court has paved the way for the upcoming panchayat elections in Punjab by dismissing all petitions challenging the electoral process. Nearly 170 petitions were submitted, predominantly addressing issues related to reservations and the allocation of family members’ votes across various wards, alongside concerns about the “Chulha Tax.”
In its ruling, the court instructed the Punjab Government to resolve all related issues to ensure the election proceeds smoothly. Specifically, the court mandated that the government address within five days any instances where votes of family members were allocated to different wards.
It also directed the settlement of pending “Chulha Tax” dues for candidates by the end of the day.
The elections, set for October 15, will involve over 13,000 gram panchayats in Punjab. The model code of conduct is already in effect in the state.
The schedule indicates that the nomination filing process began on September 27, with October 4 as the final date for submissions. Voting will take place from 8 am to 4 pm on October 15, using ballot boxes, and counting will occur the same day at polling stations.
Candidates for the sarpanch post have a spending limit of ₹40,000, while those contesting for the panch post are limited to ₹30,000.
