To ease the election process for candidates contesting the upcoming Sarpanch elections, PUnjab State Election Commission on Sunday announced relief from the requirement of a No Objection Certificate (NOC) and Chula tax. The decision aims to streamline the nomination process for the General Elections to the Gram Panchayats, scheduled for October 15, 2024, with nomination forms accepted until October 4, 2024, at 3 pm in the offices of Returning Officers.   State Election Commissioner Raj Kamal Chaudhuri revealed that candidates will no longer be required to submit a No Dues Certificate alongside their nomination papers. Instead, candidates unable to procure such certificates can file an affidavit affirming that they are not in arrears of any tax or dues owed to local authorities. This provision falls under Section 11 of the Punjab State Election Commission Act, 1994, and is designed to facilitate candidacy for those who may encounter bureaucratic hurdles.   The directions have been issued to all District Election Officers and Returning Officers.   To further simplify this process, affidavits can now be verified and attested by an Executive Magistrate, Oath Commissioner, or Notary Public, broadening the avenues through which candidates can obtain necessary documentation. The Returning Officer will accept these nomination papers and send the affidavits to the relevant authority, requiring a response within 24 hours. If no report is received by this deadline, the candidate will be presumed not to be a defaulter or unauthorized occupant concerning local authority property.   Additionally, the Election Commission has instructed that a Gram Panchayat-wise list of pending dues, if any, should be prepared and made available by the Block Development and Panchayat Officer (BDPO) to the Returning Officers. This list will be on hand to reference when accepting nominations. Candidates will be afforded an opportunity to present evidence of having settled any outstanding dues, ensuring transparency in the nomination process.   In cases where candidates have not settled their dues, they will be given the chance to do so before the scrutiny period begins at 11 am on October 5, 2024.   Control Room Set Up in SECs office For the convenience of the general public and all other concerns, the State Election Commission has established a Control Room in its office SCO No 49 Sector 17-E, Chandigarh for the conduct of the elections. Spokesperson said that landline no. 0172- 2771326 will be functional from 8.30 am to 9 pm everyday till the completion of the election process. He added that updated information and instructions regarding Gram Panchayat elections can be seen on the Commission website https://sec.punjab.gov.in and Email ID of the Commission is: secpbpunjab.gov.in.

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