Punjab has total 2,13,88,764 electors
AMN / WEB DESK
The process of filing nominations for the Single-Phase Elections in Punjab will begin with the issuance of notification tomorrow Jan 25. The nominations can be filed till 1st of February and the scrutiny will be undertaken on 2nd of February. The last date for withdrawal of candidature will be 4th of February. Total 2,15,75,430 electors will be eligible to exercise their franchise during the Third Phase in Uttar Pradesh. They include 1,16,12,010 male, 99,62,324 female and 1,096 third gender voters.
Punjab has total 2,13,88,764 electors including 2,12,75,066 general and 1,13,698 service voters. The number of PwD voters is 1,44,667. It also includes 1,11,87,857 male, 1,00,86,514 female and 695 third gender voters. The total strength of the house is 117 out of which 34 seats are reserved for the Scheduled Castes.
In view of the prevailing COVID-19 pandemic and rising cases of Omicron variant across the country, the Election Commission has laid focus on COVID-safe elections with maximum participation. It is going to ensure the safety of vote and voters as both are equally and critically important in democracy.
The Election Commission has extended ban on physical rallies and road shows till 31st of this month. After taking a comprehensive review of the prevailing situation with respect to status and projected trends of COVID pandemic in the five poll-bound states, the commission decided that no road show, Padayatra, cycle or bike or vehicle rally and procession shall be allowed till the end of this month. The poll body said, since contesting candidates for the First Phase of elections will be finalized on 27th of this month, it has been decided to allow physical meetings of concerned political parties or contesting candidates in designated open spaces with a maximum of 500 persons or 50 percent of the capacity of the ground or the prescribed limit set by State Disaster Management Authorities, whichever is lesser, from 28th of January till 8th of February excluding the silence period. It said, since contesting candidates for the Second Phase will be finalized on 31st of this month, physical meetings of concerned parties or contesting candidates with public will be allowed with similar restrictions from 1st of February till 12th of February excluding the silence period.
The Election Commission has also allowed video vans for publicity with usual COVID restrictions at designated open spaces with a maximum of 500 viewers or 50 per cent of the capacity or the limit set by SDMA, whichever is lesser, in the poll-going states subject to public convenience and no hindrance to smooth flow of traffic. The poll body said, political parties and contesting candidates shall ensure the compliance of COVID Appropriate Behaviour and guidelines and Model Code of Conduct at all occasions during the activities connected with elections. All remaining restrictions contained in the Revised Broad Guidelines for Conduct of Elections, 2022 issued on 8th of January will continue to operate. All concerned State and District Authorities shall ensure full compliance with these instructions.
Political parties have been advised to conduct their campaign through digital mode as much as possible. Maximum of ten persons will be allowed for door-to-door election campaigns by candidates. If a candidate or political party violates any of the above guidelines, no further permission will be given to the concerned candidate/party for rallies or meetings.
The Election Commission has already announced an increase in the broadcast time allotted to recognized political parties on Doordarshan and All India Radio during these elections.