First time in Jan,chilly polls ahead

January 16 has been decided as the last day to withdraw nomination. While polls will take place on January 30,votes will be counted in March 4. The election process will come to an end on March 9.

While 1.74 crore voters will exercise their franchise,19,724 polling stations have been set up across the state as of now.

Sidhu said,“The model code of conduct has come into force with immediate effect. From this very moment,we will keep a tab on expenditure by candidates. We have also requested the ECI to send 27 companies of paramilitary force in advance to keep a tab on expenditure monitoring. In all,the ECI has agreed to send 200 companies of paramilitary for the elections. As many as 19 constituencies have been deemed as sensitive on the expenditure front. These include Lambi,Moga and Badhaur.”

She added: “We are looking into complaints regarding officers,PTC Channel and Sangat Dashan programmes. As far as D S Guru and P S Gill are concerned,both officers who are now fighting elections on SAD tickets,can retain official residences.” After retirement one can retain the official residence for a few months,said Sidhu.

The final voter list will be published on January 2,2012. For redressal of grievances or queries from voters,a Complaint-cum-Call Centre has been set up in the office of the Chief Electoral Officer. A voter can call up toll free number 1950 to register their complaints. This centre will become operational 24 X 7. Helplines have also been set up at all district headquarters and at the offices of returning officers.