After multiple postponements, the much-awaited zila parishad and panchayat samiti elections in Chandigarh have finally been scheduled for December 14, with vote counting set for December 17. The announcement of the election schedule has immediately brought the model code of conduct into effect across the state's rural areas.
Election Schedule and Key Dates
The electoral process will officially commence with the filing of nominations starting December 1. Candidates will have until December 4 to submit their nomination papers, which will be scrutinized on December 5. The final date for withdrawal of nominations is December 6, setting the stage for the December 14 polling day.
These elections, originally due in May 2025, faced multiple delays primarily due to assembly bypolls and the devastating floods that hit the region earlier this year. With the next assembly elections scheduled for February 2027, the upcoming rural polls are being viewed as a crucial litmus test for political parties gauging their ground-level support.
Massive Electoral Exercise with Significant Voter Base
The scale of these elections is substantial, with elections conducted to elect members for 357 zones of 23 zila parishads and 2,863 zones of 154 panchayat samitis, following the principle of one member per zone.
The total number of registered voters stands at an impressive 1,36,04,650, comprising 71,64,972 male voters, 64,39,497 female voters, and 181 voters in the 'other' category. To accommodate this massive electorate, the administration will establish 19,181 polling booths covering all rural areas of the districts.
Ballot Papers Replace EVMs for Smooth Conduct
State Election Commissioner Raj Kamal Chaudhari, addressing mediapersons, revealed that ballot papers will be used instead of Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) for the smooth conduct of polls. "There are over 19,181 polling booths in the state. There will be two ballot boxes — one each for zila parishad and panchayat samiti — and each voter will be given two ballot papers," Chaudhari explained.
He further clarified the practical reasons behind this decision: "We would have otherwise required 40,000 EVMs, and such a large number is not available. For security reasons, the Elections Commission of India does not provide its M3 model EVMs to state election commissions."
In a significant move toward gender equality, 50% of the seats are reserved for women candidates, ensuring substantial female representation in local governance.
Candidate Requirements and Security Measures
Unlike gram panchayat elections, candidates can contest either as independents or as party nominees. Those representing political parties must submit a sponsorship form from their respective parties.
The election commission has identified 915 hypersensitive locations and 3,528 sensitive locations based on security reviews. All candidates must submit a self-declaration form detailing their assets and liabilities, along with information about any pending court cases against them.
Eligibility criteria require candidates to be at least 21 years of age and registered as electors from the zone they intend to represent.
Addressing concerns about election expenses, Chaudhari specified expenditure limits: Rs 2,55,000 for zila parishad candidates and Rs 1,10,000 for panchayat samitis candidates, countering the perception that only affluent individuals can contest these polls.
The state election commissioner confirmed full preparedness for the elections, noting that "district authorities have already been notified about the reservations, and voter lists have been updated in gram panchayats in keeping with the reorganisation of wards by the rural development and panchayat department."
To ensure proper monitoring, around 96,000 personnel will be deputed on election duty, with IAS and senior PCS officers appointed as observers in each district.
Background of Election Delays
The state election commissioner acknowledged that the elections faced multiple delays due to assembly byelections and the August-September floods this year. The last elections were held in September 2018 using ballot papers.
The Punjab and Haryana high court had been monitoring the election process closely and set a deadline for completion. In October, the state government informed the high court that elections originally scheduled for October 5 would be held by December 5, citing disruption caused by the floods.
