Chandigarh January 5: The process of elections to the Punjab Legislature Assembly begins today with Governor of Punjab issuing the notification under sub section (2) of section 15 of the Representation of the Peoples’ Act 1951 (43 of 1951) starting of process of filing the nominations.
According to notification published in Official Gazette of the state today Governer Punjab has called upon all assembly constituencies in the state of Punjab to elect members to the Legislative Assembly of the state, in accordance with the provisions of the said Act and of the rules and order made there under.
According to the notification, the 12 January 2012 (Thursday) would be the last date for making nominations and the 13 January Friday would be the date for scrutiny of nominations. The 16 January (Monday) would be the last date for the withdrawal of candidature and 30 January (Monday) would be the day of polling. The counting of votes would take place on March 4 (2012) and Election process would be completed by March 9, 2012. The polling hours have been fixed from 8 AM to 5 PM on the day of polling.
Earlier by a separate notification in accordance with the provisions of clause (1) of article 172 of the Constitution of India, the existing Legislative Assembly of the state of Punjab, unless sooner dissolved, shall continue up to and including the March 14 ,2012 and shall thereafter stand dissolved on the expiration of its duration. The notification said that whereas in terms of Sub-section (1) of section 15 of the Representation of the Peoples Act 1951 (43 of 1951) a general election has to be held for the purpose of constituting a new Legislative Assembly of the state.
It added that mow therefore as recommended by the Election Commission of India, in pursuance of sub section (2) of section 15 of the said Act, the Governor of the state of Punjab, is hereby pleased to call upon all assembly constituencies in the state to elect members to the Legislative Assembly of the state, in accordance with the provisions of the said Act and of the rules and order made there under.
