Chandigarh, June 2: The Punjab Cabinet approved a crucial amendment to the Election Department Service Rules on Monday, aiming to streamline operations ahead of the upcoming state assembly elections. Led by Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann, the decision targets long-standing administrative bottlenecks by accelerating the promotion timeline for field staff. This change will help fill critical leadership vacancies and ensure the smooth execution of the Special Intensive Revision of electoral rolls.
Under the newly revised guidelines, the mandatory experience required for an Election Kanungo to be promoted to the post of Election Tehsildar drops from 15 years to 12 years. The Chief Minister’s Office affirmed that this structural shift directly addresses immediate staffing shortages during a critical legislative window.
“The services of Election Tehsildars are required immediately to ensure smooth election-related work,” the Chief Minister’s Office stated in an official release detailing the cabinet decision.
The administration noted that seven key Election Tehsildar posts currently sit vacant across the state. Under the previous framework, zero active Election Kanungoes met the 15-year eligibility threshold, freezing promotions and stalling administrative capabilities. By adjusting the requirement to 12 years, the state intends to elevate qualified personnel in the near future, reinforcing the election machinery before voting begins.
During the same ministerial session in Chandigarh, the Council of Ministers approved the Annual Administrative Report of the Department of Water Resources for the 2025-26 fiscal year. Officials declared that the approval opens the way for a formal review and comprehensive documentation of the department’s administrative functions and structural achievements over the past year.
