Poll campaign set to intensify as BJP declares MC candidates

Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, December 3

The election campaign for the December 16 elections to the five municipal corporations of Hisar, Rohtak, Yamunanagar, Panipat and Karnal is set to intensify, with the BJP declaring its candidates today.

While the BJP took the lead in declaring its candidates for the post of mayor and councillors, the INLD, which is also contesting the elections on the party symbol, is yet to declare its candidates.

Only the BJP and INLD are contesting the elections on their party symbols, while the Congress has officially decided not to contest the polls on the party symbol.

The breakaway faction of the INLD, led by Hisar MP Dushyant Chautala and the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), is yet to take a call on fighting the elections.

There are a total of 20 wards each for the Hisar and Karnal MCs, while there are 22 wards each for Rohtak and Yamunanagar. There are 26 wards for the Panipat MC. The election to the mayoral poll is being held directly for the first time. Elections to the 13 wards of the municipal committees of Pundri and Jakhal Mandi each are also being held along with five municipal corporations.

The elections, which are considered to be the semi-finals for the next year’s Lok Sabha and Assembly elections, are crucial to all major political parties as victory in these elections will prove to be a morale booster for them.

Ban on transfers

The Haryana Government has imposed a ban on postings and transfers of officers/officials connected with the election work till the declaration of the election results on December 19. However in case where it is considered necessary to order the transfer, prior approval of the State Election Commission would have to be taken.

ELECTION SCHEDULE 

• Date for filing nominations: December 1-6

• Scrutiny of nominations: December 7

• Last date of withdrawal: December 8

• Date of polling: December 16

• Repoll (if any): December 18

• Declaration of results: December 19