Punjab Panchayat polls: SEC simplifies nomination process; relief from NOC, ‘chulha’ tax

With a view to ease the election process terms for candidates contesting the upcoming Panchayat elections, the Punjab State Election Commission (SEC) has removed the requirement of obtaining a ‘No Objection Certificate’ (NOC) or ‘No Dues Certificate’ (NDC) for filing nomination papers.

The SEC, taking reference of its earlier notification dated September 26, 2024, has said that if a candidate was unable to obtain such certificates from the concerned authorities, he or she can file an affidavit declaring that they are not in arrears of any tax or dues, and are not in unauthorised occupation of property belonging to any local authority, in accordance with Section 11 of the Punjab State Election Commission Act, 1994.

Directions regarding the updated nomination process have been issued to all District Election Officers and Returning Officers.

The move comes after complaints from Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) candidates who said they were facing difficulties in filing nomination papers for want of NoCs, especially the clearance of the ‘chullah' tax in various parts of the state. The matter was taken up by SAD with the SEC.

SAD’s legal cell head, Arshdeep Singh Kler, said a representation had been submitted to both the SEC and the High Court seeking relief.

“Fortunately, the situation was simplified when the SEC issued a notification dated December 1, 2025, relieving aspirants from procuring the NOC and ‘chulha tax’ clearance,” he said.

Kler, however, resented that though this notification was a welcome step yet it was not being publicised adequately.

“A day before this notification was issued to all deputy commissioners, but it was never publicised for its wider reach,” he said.

As per the Department of Rural Development and Panchayats, Punjab, nominations for the General Elections to Zila Parishads and Panchayat Samitis are open from December 1 to December 4, 2025, until 3 pm.

Affidavits can 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, which must response within 24 hours. If no report is received within this deadline, the candidate will be presumed not to be a defaulter or unauthorised occupant of local authority property.

Chulha tax

One of the key requirements for obtaining an NOC is the payment of the chulha tax, a historical levy based on the number of cooking stoves (chulhas) in a household. Earlier collected by panchayats and as low as Rs 2, the tax is now imposed only during election periods to ensure that candidates have cleared any outstanding dues to the village.