Himachal (The Stellar News): A spokesperson of State Election commission Himachal Pradesh said here today that the State Election Commission has notified the Election Programme for the conduct of general elections to Panchayati Raj Institutions of State. He said that nomination papers shall be presented on 31st December, 2020, 1st and 2nd January, 2021 between 11.AM to 3.00 PM. Nomination papers for the office bearers of Gram Panchayat, Panchayat Samiti and Zila Parishad shall be filled at designated places and before the officers appointed by the District Election Officers (Panchayat)-cum-Deputy Commissioner for the purpose.
He said that the nominations papers shall be scrutinized on 4th January, 2021 from 10.00 AM onwards. The candidate may withdraw his/her candidature on 6th January, 2020 between 10 AM to 3.00 PM. The list of contesting candidates showing the name of symbol allotted to them immediately after the time of withdrawal is over shall be prepared and affixed on 6th January, 2021 immediately after the time of withdrawal is over. List of polling station shall be published on or before 31st December, 2020. He further said that the polling shall be held in three Phases, the polling for first phase shall be held on 17th January for second phase on 19th January and for third phase it shall be on 21st January 2021 from 8.00 AM to 4.00 PM.
He said that the counting of vote for the Ward Members, Up-Pradhan and Pradhan of Gram Panchayat shall be taken up immediately after the close of the poll at the Gram Panchayats Headquarters. The counting of votes for the members of Panchayat Samiti and Zila Parishad shall be taken up on 22nd January, 2021 at 8.30 AM at respective Block Headquarters. The counting for a Ward Member once started shall continue until it is completed. He said that the results of election of Members, Up-Pradhan and Pradhan of Gram Panchayat shall be declared immediately after the counting is over. The result of election of Members of Panchayat Samiti shall be declared on the day of counting at the Block Headquarter immediately after the counting process is over. The result of election to Zila Parishad shall be declared in accordance with the provision contained in the rule 75(6) of the Himachal Pradesh Panchayati Raj (Election) Rule, 1994. The process of election shall be completed by 23rd January, 2021.
He said that this Election Programme shall not apply to all the three tiers of PRIs (due in June, 2021) in development block Keylong and Zila Parishad Members pertaining to Kaza Development Block ( due in June, 2021). This programme shall also not apply to Gram Panchayats and Panchayat Samiti Development Block Pangi (due in June, 2021) of Development Block Pangi in Chamba district. This Programme shall also not apply to Gram Panchayat Karjan and Soyal of Development Block Naggar and Gram Panchayat Jaban and Namhog of Development Block Anni in Kullu District. Elections to these four Gram Panchayats are due in June, 2021. He said that this Election Programme shall also not apply to Pradhans of all Gram Panchayats of district Shimla in all Development Blocks of District Shimla and Pradhans of all Gram Panchayat Development Block Dharampur in District Mandi in view of stay orders granted by the Hon’ble High Court of Himachal Pradesh in CWP No. 5987, 6013 and 6014 of 2020.
