Covid surge may push Punjab local bodies polls beyond Oct

Officials say state government is in the process of finalising delimitation of wards in most of 126 civic bodies; notification in this regard expected any time

CHANDIGARH: Civic body polls in Punjab may well be conducted past October with the number of covid-19 cases touching 69,700 on Wednesday. The focus of the state machinery is on dealing with the situation arising out of the pandemic.

“Nobody is talking about the (municipal council/corporation) polls. It would not be practically possible by then. Modalities must be worked out for postponement. In one month from now, it might not be possible to hold the polls,” said a senior officer in the local bodies department on the condition of anonymity.

In June, chief minister Capt Amarinder Singh had asked for making preparations for the polls by October 11. Polls in 126 civic bodies (including nine municipal corporations) are due for which state local bodies department is making preparations. In July, Punjab advocate general Atul Nanda had said that civic body polls can be held in October. “Legally, there is no problem in holding polls as per the likely schedule discussed at the level of CM,” Nanda had said. The department may have to work out legal options in case the polls are to be postponed.

“We are in the process of finalising delimitation of wards in most of 126 civic bodies. The process has been completed in 21 civic bodies. Notification is expected any time. Ward-bandi in nine municipal corporations due for polls is also underway,” said an officer in the department, on the condition of anonymity.

The terms of nine municipal corporations and 117 municipal councils and notified area committees in the state ended between March 8 and April 26 this year, and as per the provisions of the Municipal Act, 1911, the polls should take place within six months, so these civic bodies should go to the polls between September 7 and October 25, depending on the end of their term. Currently, government- appointed administrators are running these civic bodies.

Most of the 117 civic bodies whose term ended recently have the majority members and presidents from the Shiromani Akali Dal-bharatiya Janata Party (SAD-BJP) alliance, with polls being held under the coalition regime. Sources in the local bodies department say with appointment of administrators, civic bodies have come under direct control of the government till the elections are held. Punjab has 167 urban local bodies.

In February, the government had announced that polls will held in June or July. In a state cabinet meeting on June 30, ministers varied in opinion, but the chief minister told them that postponement was not possible.

Now, however, the time is not conducive for polls, said an official.

Modalities must be worked out for postponement. In one month from now, it might not be possible to hold the polls.

SENIOR OFFICIAL, local bodies department