Model Code of Conduct has come into force with immediate effect: Raj Kamal Chaudhuri
Chandigarh 11 May 2026:
In accordance with the Notification No. 03/01/Elections (S-2)/MEB/2026/75 and Notification No. 03/01/Elections (S-2)/MEB/2026/76 dated 11-05-2026 issued under S. 7A of the Punjab Municipal Corporation Act, 1976 and S. 13-A of the Punjab Municipal Election Act, 1911 issued by the Department of Local Government, the State Election Commission announces the dates for the conduct of General Elections to elect the members of 08 Municipal Corporations, 76 Municipal Councils and 21 Nagar Panchayats in the State (total 105).
As per the election schedule, the period for filing of Nominations by the candidates for these elections will start from 13.05.2026 (Wednesday) (between 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.) in the offices of the concerned Returning Officers designated for this purpose. The last date for filing Nominations will be 16.05.20265 (Saturday). Scrutiny of the Nomination papers will take place on 18.05.2026 (Monday). The last date for withdrawal of Nominations is 19.05.2026 (Tuesday) (upto 03:00p.m.). All nomination forms are to be accompanied by the prescribed affidavit, and in case the candidate is sponsored by a political party, by the authorisation letter of the concerned political party. KYC details of candidates will be uploaded on the District websites.
The poll will be held on 26.05.2026 (Tuesday) from 08:00 a.m. to 05:00 p.m. The polled votes will be counted on 29.05.2026 (Friday) at the counting centres established for this purpose.
The total number of registered voters is 36,72,932 (18,98,990 male, 17,73,716 female, 226 other voters).
For these elections 3977 polling stations have been established in the districts.
The expenditure limit notified by the Commission for a candidate contesting for the post of Municipal Corporation is Rs. 4,00,000/-, Municipal Councils for Class I is Rs. 3,60,000/-, Class II is Rs. 2,30,000/-, Class III is Rs. 2,00,000/- and for Nagar Panchayat is Rs. 1,40,000/-.
About 36,000 election personnel and 35,500 police personnel will be deputed on election duty. IAS/PCS Officers would be appointed in each district as Observers so as to ensure proper monitoring. District Security Plan has been prepared under overall supervision of District Magistrate.
Commission has made all the arrangements to conduct the elections in a fair, free and peaceful manner.
With the announcement of the Election Schedule, the Model Code of Conduct has come into force with immediate effect, in the jurisdiction of all the Municipal Corporations, Municipal Councils and Nagar Panchayats where the elections are to going to be held. It will remain in force till the completion of the electoral process.
