Haryana State Election Commission Announces Municipal Elections

Haryana State Election Commission Announces Municipal Elections

The Haryana State Election Commission has announced the schedule for municipal elections across the state. Voting for seven municipal corporations, four municipal councils, and 21 municipal committees will take place on March 2, while elections for the Panipat Municipal Corporation are scheduled for March 9, according to State Election Commissioner Dhanpat Singh.

Additionally, by-elections will be held for two mayoral positions, one municipal council chairman position, two municipal committee chairman positions, and three municipal ward councillor positions on March 2.

Election Schedule and Code of Conduct

In a press conference at the State Election Commission office in Panchkula, Commissioner Dhanpat Singh announced that the Model Code of Conduct has been implemented in the respective municipal areas with immediate effect.

The municipal elections will be held in Faridabad, Gurugram, Manesar, Hisar, Karnal, Panipat, Rohtak, and Yamunanagar. Additionally, municipal council elections will take place in Ambala Sadar, Pataudi Jatoli Mandi, Thanesar, and Sirsa. Elections for municipal committees will be conducted in Barara, Bawani Khera, Loharu, Siwani, Jakhal Mandi, Farrukh Nagar, Narnaund, Beri, Julana, Kalayat, Siwan, Pundri, Indri, Nilokheri, Ateli Mandi, Kanina, Taoru, Hathin, Kalanaur, Kharkhoda, and Radaur.

By-elections for the mayoral posts will be held in Ambala and Sonipat municipal corporations. Similarly, Sohna municipal council will see a by-election for the chairman post, and Assandh and Ismailabad municipal committees will hold by-elections for their chairman posts. Councillor by-elections will take place in Ward No. 14 of Safidon municipal committee, Ward No. 5 of Tarawadi municipal committee, and Ward No. 11 of Ladwa municipal committee.

Nomination and Voting Process

The respective Returning Officers (ROs) will issue election notices on February 5. Excluding Panipat, the nomination process for all municipal elections will be open from February 11 to February 17, excluding public holidays. Scrutiny of nomination papers will be conducted on February 18, and candidates can withdraw their nominations on February 19 between 11 AM and 3 PM. Election symbols will be allotted immediately after this, and the final candidate list and polling stations will be published the same day. Voting will take place on March 2 from 8 AM to 6 PM.

For Panipat Municipal Corporation, the nomination period will be from February 21 to February 27, with scrutiny on February 28. Candidates can withdraw their nominations on March 1, followed by the allocation of election symbols. The final candidate list and polling station details will be published on the same day. Voting in Panipat will be held on March 9 from 8 AM to 6 PM.

The counting of votes for all elections will commence on March 12 at 8 AM, and results will be declared the same day.

Educational Qualifications for Candidates

Dhanpat Singh outlined the educational qualifications required for candidates:

• Mayor Candidates: General category male candidates must have passed Class 10, while women, Scheduled Caste (SC) men, and SC women must have completed Class 8.
• Municipal Corporation Councillors: General category male candidates must have passed Class 10, women and SC men must have completed Class 8, and SC women must have completed Class 5.
• Municipal Council and Committee Chairman: General category candidates must have completed Class 10, while women and SC candidates require Class 8 qualification.
• Municipal Council and Committee Councillors: General category candidates need Class 10 qualification, women and SC men require Class 8, and SC women must have completed Class 5.

Security Deposit Requirements

The security deposit for different positions is as follows:

• Municipal Corporation Mayor: ₹10,000 for general category candidates and ₹5,000 for SC, BC-A, BC-B, and women candidates.
• Municipal Corporation Councillor: ₹3,000 for general category candidates and ₹1,500 for SC, BC-A, BC-B, and women candidates.
• Municipal Council Chairman: ₹3,000 for general category candidates and ₹1,500 for SC, BC-A, BC-B, and women candidates.
• Municipal Council Councillor: ₹2,000 for general category candidates and ₹1,000 for SC, BC-A, BC-B, and women candidates.
• Municipal Committee Chairman: ₹2,000 for general category candidates and ₹1,000 for SC, BC-A, BC-B, and women candidates.
• Municipal Committee Councillor: ₹1,000 for general category candidates and ₹500 for SC, BC-A, BC-B, and women candidates.

Election Expenditure Limits

Dhanpat Singh also outlined the maximum expenditure limits for candidates:

• Municipal Corporation Mayor: ₹30 lakh
• Municipal Corporation Councillor: ₹7.5 lakh
• Municipal Council Chairman: ₹20 lakh
• Municipal Council Councillor: ₹4.5 lakh
• Municipal Committee Chairman: ₹12.5 lakh
• Municipal Committee Councillor: ₹3 lakh

All candidates must maintain records of their election expenditure and submit them to the RO within 30 days of the election. Failure to comply will result in a five-year ban from contesting elections.

Criminal Record Disclosure and Security Arrangements

Candidates with a criminal background must publicly disclose their records through advertisements in local Hindi and English newspapers and on local TV channels at least three times.

The police department will deploy additional security forces at sensitive and highly sensitive polling stations. Around 25,000 officials and employees will be on election duty, and approximately 10,000 electronic voting machines (EVMs) will be used in the election process.

Observers will be appointed for monitoring the general election process, election expenditures, and security arrangements. Public awareness campaigns will also be conducted to encourage voter participation in the elections.

Encouraging Voter Participation

The Election Commission aims to maximize voter turnout through extensive awareness programs, ensuring a transparent and fair election process. The commission urges all eligible voters to participate actively and exercise their democratic rights on March 2 and March 9.