New Year to
begin with Panchayat Elections
SIRSA NEWS
16 December, 2015
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and Videos: Amar Singh Jyani, GS Mann,
Below are the contents in
verbatim from the Press Release of STATE ELECTION COMMISSION,
HARYANA about PANCHAYAT GENERAL ELECTIONS to be held in three phases in January 2016
Panchkula, the 15th December, 2015: Sh.
Rajeev Sharma, State Election Commissioner, Haryana stated that in view
of the orders dated 22.09.2015 of the Hon’ble Supreme Court of India passed in
Writ Petition (Civil) No. 671 of 2015 (Rajbala & Ors. Vs. State of Haryana
& Ors.), the State Election Commission, Haryana had put on hold all the
activities pursuant to its notification dated 8th September, 2015 and all other
notifications/orders issued subsequently in this connection till further
orders. It was also ordered that the nomination papers received in respect of
Zila Parishads and for the first phase elections of Panches, Sarpanches and
member Panchayat Samitis, be kept intact in the office of Returning Officer for
Zila Parishad and Panchayat Samiti concerned and in the case of Gram Panchayats
nomination papers shall be kept intact in the office of Block Development and
Panchayat Officer concerned till further orders.
2. Sh. Sharma further stated that now the Hon’ble Supreme Court of India
has dismissed the Writ Petition (Civil) No. 671 of 2015 vide order dated
10.12.2015. As such, the State Election Commission, Haryana has today issued
the programme for the conduct of 5th Panchayat General Election of Panches,
Sarpanches of Gram anchayats (except for Gram Panchayat Chhachhraulli, Radhur,
Sadhura of district Yamuna Nagar, Sudhiwas, Tosham of district Bhiwani, Chandu,
Budedha, Wazirpur of district Gurgaon, Nissing
(Rural) of district Karnal, Berwal Nandla of district Panchkula, Jakhal
Mandi of district Fatehabad, Hassanpur of district Palwal, Samalkha of district
Kurukshetra and Firozepur Jhirka (Rural) of district Mewat) and members of all
Panchayat Samitis and Zila Parishads. The elections will be held on three
phases i.e. on 10.01.2016, 17.01.2016 and 24.01.2016. The Election programme
for elections to different posts of the Panchayati Raj Institutions is as
under:
TIME SCHEDULE
Sr.
|
Programme
|
1st Phase
|
2nd Phase
|
3rd Phase
|
|||||
No.
|
|||||||||
1.
|
Date on which notice shall be
|
17.12.2015
|
23.12.2015
|
30.12.2015
|
|||||
published
|
by
|
the
District
|
|||||||
Election Officer
|
(Panchayat) in
|
||||||||
Form 2 or 3, as the case may
|
|||||||||
be, for
|
inviting
nominations
|
||||||||
under
rule 24 of
the Haryana
|
|||||||||
Panchayati Raj Election Rules,
|
|||||||||
1994.
|
|||||||||
2.
|
Dates on which Nomination
|
23.12.2015
|
30.12.2015
|
05.01.2016
|
|||||
papers shall be presented
|
to
|
to
|
to
|
||||||
under Rule 24(2)(i).
|
29.12.2015
|
04.01.2016
|
09.01.2016
|
||||||
(10.00 A.M to
|
(10.00 A.M to
|
(10.00 A.M to
|
|||||||
3.00 P.M.)
|
3.00 P.M.)
|
3.00 P.M.)
|
|||||||
3.
|
Dates on which the list of
|
23.12.2015
|
30.12.2015
|
05.01.2016
|
|||||
Nomination papers received
|
to
|
to
|
to
|
||||||
shall be pasted
|
under Rule
|
29.12.2015
|
04.01.2016
|
09.01.2016
|
|||||
24(2) (ii).
|
|||||||||
4.
|
Date by which
|
23.12.2015
|
30.12.2015
|
05.01.2016
|
|||||
Affidavit/declaration shall be
|
to
|
to
|
to
|
||||||
furnished by the candidate in
|
29.12.2015
|
04.01.2016
|
09.01.2016
|
||||||
Form 4-A & 4-B to the
|
|||||||||
concerned Returning Officer.
|
|||||||||
(Rule 27).
|
|||||||||
5.
|
Date on which the nomination
|
30.12.2015
|
05.01.2016
|
11.01.2016
|
|||||
papers shall be scrutinized
|
(10.00 A.M.
|
(10.00 A.M.
|
(10.00 A.M.
|
||||||
under Rule 24(2)(iii).
|
onwards)
|
onwards)
|
onwards)
|
||||||
6.
|
Last date for withdrawal of
|
01.01.2016
|
07.01.2016
|
13.01.2016
|
|||||
candidature by a candidate
|
(upto 3.00
|
(upto 3.00
|
(upto 3.00
|
||||||
under Rule 24(2)(iv).
|
P.M.)
|
P.M.)
|
P.M.)
|
||||||
7.
|
Date on which symbols shall be
|
01.01.2016
|
07.01.2016
|
13.01.2016
|
|||||
allotted to the contesting
|
(after 3.00 PM)
|
(after 3.00
|
(after 3.00
|
||||||
candidates.
|
PM)
|
PM)
|
|||||||
8.
|
Date on which the list of
|
01.01.2016
|
07.01.2016
|
13.01.2016
|
|||||
contesting candidates shall be
|
(immediately
|
(immediately
|
(immediately
|
||||||
pasted under Rule 24(2)(v).
|
after the
|
after the
|
after the
|
||||||
allotment of
|
allotment of
|
allotment of
|
|||||||
symbols)
|
symbols)
|
symbols)
|
|||||||
9.
|
Date on which the poll, if any,
|
10.01.2016
|
17.01.2016
|
24.01.2016
|
|||||
shall be held under Rule
|
(Sunday)
|
(Sunday)
|
(Sunday)
|
||||||
24(2)(vi).
|
|||||||||
10.
|
Timing of the poll.
|
Between
|
Between
|
Between
|
|||||
7.30 A.M.
|
7.30 A.M.
|
7.30 A.M.
|
|||||||
to
|
to
|
to
|
|||||||
4.00 P.M.
|
4.00 P.M.
|
4.00 P.M.
|
|||||||
11.
|
Counting of votes.
|
i).
|
Panches
|
and
|
Sarpanches
|
||||
immediately
|
after the close of poll.
|
||||||||
ii) Member Panchayat Samiti and Zila
|
|||||||||
Parishad on 28.01.2016 at 8.00 A.M at
|
|||||||||
the place specified by the concerned
|
|||||||||
District Election Officer (P).
|
|||||||||
iii)
In case of
repoll of Member
|
|||||||||
Panchayat Samiti and Zila Parishads,
|
|||||||||
the Commission may change the date
|
|||||||||
and time of counting of votes.
|
|||||||||
3.
He further stated that the time schedule for the election of the seats of
Panches, Sarpanches and Member Panchayat Samitis shall remain phase wise, so
that contesting candidates may avail almost equal time for campaigning. But, in
the case of election of the seat of Member Zila Parishad, phase wise time
schedule is not possible as the jurisdiction of several wards of Zila Parishads
falls within the jurisdiction of two or more than two blocks. As such, the date
for the publication of notice, receipt of nomination, scrutiny, symbol
allotment etc. for the contesting candidates, contesting the election of the
seat of Member Zila Parishad shall remain same as mentioned in the schedule of
first phase, but their block wise election shall be held on 10.01.2016,
17.01.2016 and 24.01.2016.
4.
The State Election Commissioner, Haryana further added that the blocks to be
included in 1st, 2nd and 3rd phase shall be as
under:-
Sr.
|
District
|
Blocks
|
Blocks
|
Blocks
|
|
No.
|
1st Phase
|
2nd Phase
|
3rd Phase
|
||
1.
|
Ambala
|
1.Barara
|
1.Ambala-I
|
1.Shahzadpur
|
|
2.Saha
|
2.Ambala-II
|
2.Naraingarh
|
|||
2.
|
Bhiwani
|
1.Bhiwani
|
1.Tosham
|
1.Dadri-II
|
|
2.Dadri-I
|
2.Siwani
|
2.Loharu
|
|||
3.Badhra
|
3.Bawani Khera
|
3.Kairu
|
|||
4.Behal
|
|||||
3.
|
Faridabad
|
1.Faridabad
|
---
|
---
|
|
2.Ballabgarh
|
|||||
4.
|
Fatehabad
|
1. Fatehabad
|
1. Bhuna
|
1.Ratia
|
|
2.Tohana
|
2. Bhattu kalan
|
2.Jakhal
|
|||
5.
|
Gurgaon
|
1.Gurgaon
|
1.Pataudi
|
---
|
|
2.Sohna
|
2.Farukhnagar
|
||||
6.
|
Hisar
|
1.Hisar-I
|
1.Hansi-I
|
1.Adampur
|
|
2.Hisar-II
|
2.Hansi-II
|
2.Uklana
|
|||
3.Narnaund
|
3.Barwala
|
3.Agroha
|
|||
7.
|
Jind
|
1.Jind
|
1.Narwana
|
1.Julana
|
|
2.Safidon
|
2.Uchana
|
2.Alewa
|
|||
3. Pillukhera
|
|||||
8.
|
Jhajjar
|
1.Jhajjar
|
1.Beri
|
--
|
|
2.Bahadurgarh
|
2.Matanhail
|
||||
3.Salhawas
|
|||||
9.
|
Karnal
|
1.Assandh
|
1.Gharaunda
|
1.Karnal
|
|
2.Indri
|
2.Nissing
|
2. Nilokheri
|
|||
10.
|
Kaithal
|
1.Guhla
|
1.Pundri
|
1. Siwan
|
|
2. Kaithal
|
2.Rajound
|
2. Kalayat
|
|||
11.
|
Kurukshetra
|
1.Thanesar
|
1.Ismailabad
|
1.Ladwa
|
|
2.Pehowa
|
2.Shahabad
|
2.Babain
|
|||
12.
|
M. at Narnaul
|
1.Ateli Nangal
|
1.Narnaul
|
1.Nizampur
|
|
2.Kanina
|
2.Satnail
|
2.Nangal
|
|||
3.Sihma
|
3.Mahendergarh
|
Choudhary
|
|||
13.
|
Mewat at Nuh
|
1.Punhana
|
1. Nagina
|
1. Nuh
|
|
2. Firozepur
|
2. Tauru
|
||||
Jhirka
|
|||||
14.
|
Panipat
|
1.Panipat
|
1.Madlauda
|
1.Bapouli
|
|
2.Israna
|
2.Samalkha
|
2.Sanouli Khurd
|
|||
Panchkula
|
1.Pinjore
|
1.Barwala
|
-----
|
||
2.Morni
|
2.Raipur Rani
|
||||
16.
|
Palwal
|
1.Palwal
|
1.Hassanpur
|
----
|
|
2.Prithla
|
2.Hathin
|
||||
3.Hodal
|
|||||
17.
|
Rohtak
|
1.Rohtak
|
1.Meham
|
Kalanaur
|
|
2.Sampla
|
2.Lakhanmajra
|
||||
18.
|
Rewari
|
1.Rewari
|
1.Nahar
|
1. Jatusana
|
|
2.Bawal
|
2.Khol
|
||||
19.
|
Sirsa
|
1.Baragudha
|
1.Rania
|
1.Nathusari
|
|
2.Dabwali
|
2.Ellenabad
|
Chopta
|
|||
3.Odhan
|
2.Sirsa
|
||||
20.
|
Sonipat
|
1.Sonipat
|
1.Gohana
|
1.Ganaur
|
|
2.Kharkhoda
|
2.Khathura
|
2.Murthal
|
|||
3.Mundlana
|
3.Rai
|
||||
21.
|
Yamunanagar
|
1.Chhachhrauli
|
1.Sadhaura
|
1.Radaur
|
|
2.Jagadhri
|
2.Bilaspur
|
2.Mustafabad
|
|||
5.
He further stated that the candidates who have already filed the nominations as
per the amendment made by the Govt. vide Notification No. Leg.15/2015 dated 7th
September, 2015 need not to file fresh nominations, but have to file a fresh
declaration/affidavit in Form 4-B along with required documents before the
Returning Officer concerned during the period specified for the same.
6.
He further stated that according to the above mentioned programme, the
nomination for the seats of Panches, Sarpanches will be received at village
Headquarter, Members of Panchayat Samitis shall be received at Block
Headquarters and that of Zila Parishads at the District Headquarter. The
scrutiny of the nomination papers shall be taken up by the Returning Officers.
7.
He further stated that a candidate filing the nomination paper for contesting
the election of the seat of Panch/Sarpanch/Member Panchayat Samiti/ Zila
Parishad shall have to deposit an amount in Government Treasury or Sub Treasury
or with the Returning Officer (Panchayat) in cash, as under, as the
case may be:-
Seat
|
General
|
SC/BC
|
Panch
|
Rs.100/-
|
Rs.40/-
|
Sarpanch
|
Rs.200/-
|
Rs.100/-
|
Member Panchayat
|
Rs.300/-
|
Rs.150/-
|
Samiti
|
||
Member Zila
|
Rs.400/-
|
Rs.200/-
|
Parishad
|
||
8.
He further stated that the counting of votes for the Panches and Sarpanches
will be taken up on the same day at the polling stations itself, whereas the counting
of votes for election to the offices of Members Panchayat Samitis and Zila
Parishads would be taken up on 28.01.2016 at the place specified by the
concerned District Election Officer (P).
9.
He further stated that the expenditure limit of the expenditure to be incurred
by a contesting candidate or his authorized election agent has been increased
as under:-
Sr. No.
|
Post
|
Previous
|
Current
|
|
Expenditure Limit
|
Expenditure Limit
|
|||
1.
|
Panch(Member of Gram
|
Rs. 5,000
|
Rs.
|
10,000
|
Panchayat)
|
||||
2.(a)
|
Sarpanch of Gram
|
Rs. 15,000
|
Rs.
|
30,000
|
Panchayat having upto 15
|
||||
Wards.
|
||||
(b)
|
Sarpanch of Gram
|
Rs. 25,000
|
Rs.
|
50,000
|
Panchayat having more
|
||||
than 15 Wards
|
||||
3.
|
Member of Panchayat
|
Rs. 50,000
|
Rs. 1,00,000
|
|
Samiti
|
||||
4.
|
Member of Zila Parishad
|
Rs. 1,00,000
|
Rs. 2,00,000
|
|
10.
He further stated that a contesting candidate shall have to maintain account of
election expenditure and submit the same within 30 days from the date of
declaration of the result to the District Election Officer (Panchayat) or any
other officer specified by the Commission, in the manner prescribed by the
State Election Commission, failing which the defaulting candidate shall be
liable to be disqualified under the Haryana Panchayati Raj
Election Expenditure (Maintenance & Submission of the Accounts)
Order, 1996 for 3 years from the date of issue of such order.
11. He further stated that the election of the seats of Sarpanches and
Member Zila Parishad in all the districts would be conducted by the use of
EVMs; the election of Members of Panchayat Samiti in districts Panchkula and
Rewari shall also be conducted by use of EVMs, for which approximately 45,000
EVMs of single post; and 1300 CUs and 2600 BUs of multi post EVMs would be
used. The multi post EVMs shall only be used in Panchkula and Rewari districts.
The elections of remaining seats of Panches and Member Panchayat Samitis would
be conducted by the use of ballot papers and for this purpose approximately
45,000 ballot boxes would be used.
12. He further stated that there are 6,198 Gram Panchayats, 126
Panchayat Samities and 21 Zila Parishads in the State and the election of these
Institutions is to be conducted in three phases. In 1st
phase election there are 47 Blocks and 8,981 polling booths out of which 1,702 are sensitive and 1,801
hyper sensitive. 46,59,922 voters ( Male 25,05,710 + 21,54,212 Female) will franchise their
right to vote. For this purpose approximately 44,994 polling personal, 522 Supervisory Staff and 439 Duty Magistrates will be put on duty. In 2nd phase there are 44 Blocks and 7,412 polling booths out of which 1,314 are sensitive and 1,527 hyper sensitive. 37,14,364 voters (19,97,711 Male +17,16,653 Female) will
franchise their right to vote. For this purpose approximately 37,174 polling personal, 431 Supervisory Staff and 372 Duty Magistrates will be
put on duty. In 3rd phase election there are 35 Blocks and 5,082 polling booths out of which 1,143 are sensitive and 1,009 hyper sensitive. 26,35,031 voters (14,01,275 Male + 12,33,756 Female) will
franchise their right to vote. For this purpose approximately 25,507 polling personal, 303 Supervisory Staff and 254 Duty Magistrates will be
put on duty. The district wise detail of the data is given in annexure
“A”.
13. He further stated that the Model Code of Conduct in respect of the
Panchayat Elections has come into force from today i.e.15.12.2015
with the announcement of the schedule in the area of Panchayati Raj
Institutions where the poll is to be conducted. According to the guidelines of
model code of
conduct no party or candidate shall indulge in any activity which may
cause differences or create mutual hatred or cause tension between different
castes and communities, religious or linguistic. There shall be no appeal to
caste or communal feelings for securing votes. The right of every individual
for peaceful and undisturbed home life shall be respected. All parties and
candidates shall avoid scrupulously all activities which are “corrupt
practices” and offences under the election law, such as bribing of voters,
intimidation of voters, impersonation of voters, canvassing within 100 meters
of polling stations, holding public meetings during the 48 hours ending with
the hour fixed for the close of the poll and transport and conveyance of voters
to and from polling station etc. All the political parties, contesting
candidates and Government employees must follow the model code of conduct
meticulously to conduct free, fair and peaceful PRI elections in the State. No
Officer/Official connected with the election work shall be transferred till the
completion of election process besides adhering to other requirements of Model
Code of Conduct with the announcement of this schedule for elections, he added.
14. He further stated that the directions are being issued to all the
District Election Officers (Panchayat) to give the widest possible publicity to
the above programme by munadi in villages, issue of press notes and other
handouts and also by inserting paid advertisements in the two local news papers
and making publicity through electronic media, so that more and more people may
come to cast their vote and elect the members of Panchayati Raj Institutions
for strengthening the democracy at grass root level.
15. Paid News: Sh. Sharma informed that State Election Commission is
cautious of the role of media in democracy and it’s further strengthening and
made a request to the media- print as well as electronic to render their help
and co-operation by refraining from allowing any undue publicity to a candidate
in lieu of money or any other consideration. He emphasized that the Commission
is aware of the menace of paid news and thus solicits the help and co-operation
of media which is the best way to tackle it.
16. He further stated that State Election Commission will appoint Election
Observers in each district to ensure smooth conduct of elections. The
Observers will be asked to keep a close watch on every stage of
electoral process to ensure free and fair elections. The Election Observers
have to visit the district assigned at least four times, review necessary
arrangements for the conduct of free, fair and peaceful elections, hold
meetings with the D.C, R.O, S.S.P, D.S.P & other officers to review law and
order situation and keep check on the complaints received by D.C, R.O, S.S.P,
D.S.P etc.
17. He further stated that for the purpose of effective monitoring of
the election expenditure of the candidates Election Expenditure Observers shall
also be appointed in each district. Expenditure Observers shall have to keep
close watch on the misuse of money power and suggest remedial action to prevent
the evil practice.
18. He further stated that videography of sensitive or hyper sensitive
polling stations will be got done, if required.
19. He further stated that the conduct of elections involves elaborate
security management. It includes ensuring the security of polling personnel,
security at the polling station, security of polling materials and also the
overall security of the election process. The Home Department has already been
requested to deploy adequate police personnel, so that the General Election of
PRIs is conducted in a free, fair, peaceful, transparent and violence free
manner.
20. He further stated that complaint cells shall also be established at
the office of State Election Commission, Haryana and at District Headquarters
to receive day to day complaints regarding elections and their speedy disposal.
21. He further stated that perfect communication plan will be set up at
headquarter as well as district level, to enable concurrent intervention and
mid course correction on the poll day.
22. He further stated that the instructions have already been issued to
the District Election Officers (Panchayats) to establish the sufficient number
of polling stations with all basic amenities such as ramps, first aid facility,
shelter,
drinking water, toilet etc., so that the electors including senior
citizens, women and physically challenged persons may not suffer any
inconvenience.
23. He further stated that directions have already been issued to the
District Election Officers (Panchayats) not to depute the ROs/AROs/POs/APOs and
other Polling Staff at his/her own village or ward. Polling parties be formed
randomly, through special application software i.e. first at the time of
allotting blocks to the employees actually to be deputed on polling duty and
second at the time of sending polling parties to the polling booths allotted to
them.
24. Sh. Sharma, State Election Commissioner, Haryana appeals to all the
voters to participate to elect the Members of Panchayati Raj Institutions for
strengthening the democracy at grass root level.
