Lok Sabha Polls 2024 | 26 women among 328 candidates in fray for 13 Lok Sabha seats in Punjab

Lok Sabha Polls 2024 | Chief Electoral Officer Sibin C said on Friday that a total of 328 candidates will contest the 13 Lok Sabha seats in Punjab, compared to 253 in 2014 and 278 candidates in 2019. 

The CEO said that a total of 25 candidates have withdrawn their names by the last date for withdrawal of nominations. Earlier, 466 candidates had filed 598 nominations in the state. After the scrutiny and withdrawal of papers, the total number of candidates has come down to 328, including 302 male and 26 female candidates. The Ludhiana Lok Sabha seat has the highest number of candidates, with 43 in the fray, he said.

As it is now clear which candidates are in the fray, Chief Electoral Officer Sibin C urged all political parties and candidates to follow the ECI's Model Code of Conduct (MCC) for peaceful and fair elections. He requested avoiding unverified allegations and distortions when criticizing others.

He prohibited the use of loudspeakers between 10 p.m. and 6 a.m. without prior written permission and asked for compliance with local traffic regulations. Political workers must display badges or identity cards and vehicle restrictions during the campaign and on polling day must be obeyed. Complaints should be reported to election officials.

Unofficial voter identity slips should be on plain white paper without symbols or candidate names. Non-voters and non-candidates must leave the constituency after the campaign. Corrupt practices, such as bribery and undue influence, and electoral offenses, such as canvassing within 100 meters of polling stations, are prohibited, the CEO added.

He asked to maintain election purity and transparency, political parties should avoid cash transactions and refrain from carrying large amounts of cash. Disturbances at meetings and processions of other parties are forbidden. Campaign materials must not be displayed near polling booths.

Sibin C said that demonstrations or picketing outside private residences are prohibited. Police assistance should be sought to manage disruptions at political meetings. Section 127 of the Representation of People Act, 1951, penalizes disorderly conduct at public meetings with imprisonment up to six months, a fine up to two thousand rupees, or both. 

How many candidates from which Lok Sabha constituency?              

The 2024 Indian general election in Punjab will be held on 1 June 2024 to elect 13 members of 18th Lok Sabha.

- PTC NEWS

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