133 Polling parties dispatched to polling stations with election material for Municipal Council and Nagar Panchayat elections;DC
Dilbag Singh
133 Polling parties dispatched to polling stations with election material for Municipal Council and Nagar Panchayat elections;DC
JALANDHAR 25 MAY
As many as 133 polling parties carrying election material were dispatched from dispatch centres to polling stations for the Municipal Council and Nagar Panchayat elections scheduled to be held on May 26 in the district. Deputy Commissioner-cum-District Election Officer Varjeet Walia, while encouraging the polling parties, said that the election staff should feel proud to be a part of the electoral system. He motivated the polling personnel to perform their duty with complete dedication and honesty. He said that elaborate arrangements have been made by the district administration to ensure that the Municipal Council and Nagar Panchayat elections are conducted in a transparent, fair and peaceful manner. He informed that 133 polling parties have been constituted for smooth and uninterrupted conduct of the polling process and each polling party comprises one PRO, one APRO and three POs. He added that around 800 polling staff, including 20 percent reserve staff, have been deployed and imparted detailed training regarding the election process. Mr. Walia said that a total of 1,08,067 voters, including 54,943 male, 53,116 female and 8 other voters, will exercise their franchise in the Municipal Council/Nagar Panchayat elections. He informed that Municipal Council Nakodar has 27,964 voters, including 14,173 male, 13,788 female and 3 other voters. Similarly, Municipal Council Adampur has 12,610 voters, including 6,415 male, 6,194 female and one other voter; Kartarpur has 19,736 voters, including 10,120 male, 9,614 female and 2 other voters; Nurmahal has 11,105 voters, including 5,695 male and 5,410 female voters; and Municipal Council Phillaur has 19,179 voters, including 9,710 male, 9,468 female and one other voter. Besides, Nagar Panchayat Lohian has 7,958 voters, including 3,914 male and 4,044 female voters, while Nagar Panchayat Mehatpur has 9,515 voters, including 4,916 male, 4,598 female and one other voter. The District Election Officer informed that 341 candidates are contesting elections for 99 wards of 5 Municipal Councils and 2 Nagar Panchayats in the district. He said that 44 candidates are in the fray for 13 wards of Municipal Council Adampur, 50 candidates for 15 wards of Kartarpur, 55 candidates for 17 wards of Nakodar and 41 candidates for 13 wards of Nurmahal. In Municipal Council Phillaur, 63 nominations for 15 wards were found valid and after withdrawal of nominations by five candidates, 58 candidates remained in the contest. However, since one candidate had filed two nomination papers from the same ward, the number of candidates in Municipal Council Phillaur stands at 57. Similarly, 47 candidates each are contesting for 13 wards of Nagar Panchayat Mehatpur and Lohian Khas. The Deputy Commissioner said that a total of 133 polling booths has been established for the convenience of voters. Appealing to voters to exercise their franchise without any fear, pressure or inducement, he informed that polling will be held on Tuesday from 8 am to 5 pm, while counting of votes will take place on May 29, 2026. He further informed that apart from the Voter Photo Identity Card, the State Election Commission, Punjab has recognized 15 alternative documents as proof of identity for voting. He said that voters whose names are registered in the ward-wise voter list but who do not possess a Voter Photo Identity Card can cast their votes by producing any of the alternative documents. He said these documents include Aadhaar Card, Indian Passport, Driving Licence, PAN Card with photograph, MGNREGA Job Card, Ration Card/Blue Card, Arms Licence with photograph, Pension documents with photograph, Freedom Fighter Identity Card with photograph, passbook with photograph issued by any bank/post office, Health Insurance Smart Card issued under the Labour Ministry scheme, official identity cards issued to MPs and MLAs, UDID Card issued by the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment, service identity cards with photograph issued by Central/State Government/PSUs/Public Limited Companies to employees, and photo identity cards issued by recognised educational institutions to students.
