ECI issues programme for Jalandhar by-poll: Sibin C
Chandigarh: The Election Commission of India has issued the detailed program for holding Jalandhar Bye-election Parliamentary Constituency. Chief Electoral Officer, Punjab (CEO) Sibin C informed that notification would be issued on 13th April 2023 (Thursday), while the last date for making nominations is 20th April 2023 (Thursday). He said that Scrutiny of nominations would be on 21st April, 2023 (Friday) and last date for withdrawal of candidature is 24th April, 2023 (Monday). Polling would be held on 10th May, 2023 (Wednesday) from 8 am to 6.00 pm and counting of votes would be on 13th May, 2023 (Saturday). CEO said that the election process shall be completed on 15th May, 2023 (Monday).
Divulging the details, he said that nomination papers are to be presented with the Returning Officer between 11.00 am and 3.00 pm on any day other than a public holiday from 13th April 2023 to 20th April, 2023. The Deputy Commissioner Jalandhar is a Returning Officer for 04-Jalandhar (SC) Parliamentary Constituency. He further said that the nomination papers are to be filled in form 2A for 04-Jalandhar (SC) Parliamentary Constituency Bye-Election. Blank forms are available with the Returning Officer. Typed nomination papers will also be accepted provided they are in the prescribed form.
In order to qualify for a Parliamentary Constituency (Lok Sabha) seat, a candidate should be registered as an elector for any Parliamentary Constituency. To satisfy the concerned Returning Officer on this point, candidates should produce a certified copy of the relevant entry of the electoral roll in force.
A certificate is also required to make and subscribe to an oath or affirmation in the prescribed form before the concerned Returning Officer or any other person so authorized by the Election Commission of India. The oath/affirmation should be taken/made by a candidate after his nomination paper has been filled and before the date fixed for the Scrutiny of nominations. CEO informed that 14.04.2023 being Vaisakhi/Birthday of Dr. B.R. Ambedkar (Friday) is a holiday under the Negotiable Instrument Act, 1881, therefore, nomination papers can’t be presented by the candidate on that day.
15.04.2023 being 3rd Saturday is not a holiday under the Negotiable Instrument Act, 1881, therefore, nomination papers can be presented by the candidate on that day. 16.04.2023 being Sunday is a holiday, therefore, nomination papers can’t be presented by the candidate on that day. Similarly, 22.04.2023 being 4th Saturday is a holiday, therefore, Withdrawal of nomination papers can’t be presented by the candidate on that day.23.04.2023 being Sunday is a holiday and Withdrawal of nomination papers can’t be presented by the candidate on that day.
CEO said that the Model Code of Conduct has come into force in the district Jalandhar from the date of announcement of bye elections from 29th March, 2023 by the Election Commission of India and shall remain in force till the completion of the election process.