GNDU reschedules exams; DC declares dry day for elections

The State Election Commission, Punjab, will conduct the zila parishad and panchayat samiti elections on December 14, with the results to be declared on December 17. In view of the elections, Guru Nanak Dev University (GNDU) has re-scheduled all semester and final examinations earlier slated for December 13 and 15 across its affiliated and constituent colleges. The exams will now be held on January 2 and 3, 2026, respectively.

As per directions issued by the Election Commissioner, Punjab, the Excise Commissioner has declared a dry day in all villages falling under the jurisdiction of zila parishads and panchayat samitis from 00:00 hrs on December 14 to 10:00 hrs on December 15. Acting on these instructions, District Magistrate, Amritsar, Dalwinderjit Singh, exercising powers under Section 54 of the Punjab Excise Act, 1914, has imposed a complete ban on the opening of liquor shops, sale of liquor, and storage of liquor on December 14. These restrictions will also apply to hotels, clubs and other licensed premises.

For the elections, seven strong rooms and seven counting centres have been established in Amritsar. These include Government College, Ajnala; BBKDAV for Attari; Verka College; Government Nursing College, Medical Enclave; St. Soldier Elite Convent School, Jandiala Guru; Mai Bhago Government Polytechnic College for Girls, Majitha Road; and Srimata Ganga Kanya Senior Secondary School, Baba Bakala.

The District Magistrate has also prohibited the assembly or activity of five or more persons within a radius of 100 metres around the strong rooms and counting centres from 4 pm on December 14 until December 17. This restriction will not apply to officials and staff deployed on election duty. Entry of private vehicles within 100 metres of counting locations will be barred unless specifically authorized by the State Election Commission, the District Election Officer or the respective Returning Officer.

A complete ban has also been enforced on any activity that may affect the electoral process within 100 metres of polling stations. Considering the urgency of the situation, the District Magistrate has issued these prohibitory orders unilaterally, addressing them to the public at large, and they will remain in force until December 17.