Punjab polls: Nominations from today, only two can accompany candidate

Tribune News Service

Vishav Bharti

Chandigarh, January 24

The filing of nomination will start tomorrow, but only two persons can accompany a candidate to the office of the Returning Officer.

Disclosing this here on Monday, Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) Dr S Karuna Raju said as per the EC’s instructions, the number of persons accompanying candidate at time for submission of nomination papers had been reduced from five to two. The number of vehicles has too been reduced to two from three earlier. He said the nomination papers were also made available on the website of the CEO/DEO. The candidates could fill these online and submit along with a notary-certified affidavit.

Dr Raju said to limit the crowd, the Returning Officers could also streamline filing of nomination papers by calling the candidates at staggered times. He further said a candidate could deposit security money through the online mode at the designated platform. However, candidates will continue to have the option of depositing cash in the treasury.

Dr Raju said the nominations would be filed in the office of respective Returning Officers from 11 am to 3 pm from January 25 to February 1. He said the nominations papers are to be filed in Form 2B. Blank forms are available with the respective Returning Officers. Typed nomination papers will also be accepted provided they are in the prescribed format.

The CEO said in order to qualify for a Vidhan Sabha seat, a candidate should be registered as an elector for any Vidhan Sabha constituency in the state. To satisfy the Returning Officer concerned on this point, candidates should produce a certified copy of the relevant entry of the electoral roll.

Info on criminal antecedents must

• The EC has amended the Form-26 which is part of the nomination form
• It mandates the candidates to provide information regarding pending criminal cases or those cases in which they have been convicted
• Candidates must also inform public in this regard through print, electronic media
• Parties concerned also must put up on their websites information pertaining to candidates having criminal antecedents

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