Review meeting held on Preparations for Municipal Corporation Elections in Panchkula and Ambala

State Election Commissioner directs timely completion of all arrangements

Chandigarh, April 2026 – Under the chairmanship of Haryana State Election Commissioner, Sh. Devinder Singh Kalyan, a key review meeting was held on Thursday in Panchkula regarding the preparations for the general elections of the Municipal Corporations of Panchkula and Ambala. During the meeting, all necessary arrangements were reviewed in detail to ensure that the election process is conducted in a free, fair, peaceful, and transparent manner.

Sh. Devinder Singh Kalyan directed the officers to ensure the timely completion of all arrangements, including voter lists, EVMs, election materials, law and order, identification of sensitive polling stations, deployment and training of polling personnel, drinking water, electricity, health services, and special facilities for persons with disabilities (PwD) and senior citizens.

Directions regarding EVMs, election material, and Model Code of Conduct

He said that officers were directed to ensure the availability of adequate EVMs and other election materials well in advance to avoid any disruption in the smooth conduct of elections.                     

Sh. Kalyan informed that the Model Code of Conduct has been in force since April 13, 2026; therefore, no officer or employee associated with election duties will be transferred until the completion of the election process. Additionally, no new schemes or projects will be inaugurated or have foundation stones laid during this period.

Special focus on voter list and nomination process

The State Election Commissioner informed that the ward-wise final voter list for the Municipal Corporation of Panchkula was published on March 27, 2026. As per the rules, from the announcement of the election schedule until the last date of nominations, the concerned Returning Officer is authorised to include the names of eligible voters. Only those voters whose names are listed in the Assembly voter list but are missing from the municipal ward list can be added.

He further said that any prospective candidate whose name is duly included in the voter list of the concerned ward will be permitted to file nomination papers.

Security arrangements at sensitive polling stations

He further directed to immediately identify sensitive and hypersensitive polling stations and deploy adequate police force there. Adequate security personnel will also be deployed at polling stations, counting centers, and other important locations to maintain law and order.

The police department was directed to maintain strict vigilance on anti-social elements, illegal liquor, narcotics, weapons, and criminal activities. Special drives will be conducted before polling day, with increased checking and patrolling, and regulation of vehicular movement around polling stations. Installation of CCTV cameras at critical locations was also directed.

Uninterrupted electricity, water, and health services

The State Election Commissioner directed the departments to ensure an uninterrupted electricity and drinking water supply from May 9 to May 13, 2026. The Health Department was directed to provide first aid kits to each polling party and ensure necessary medical assistance for voters on polling day.

Voter facilitation and efforts to increase voter turnout

He directed to set up help desks at polling stations, install clear signage, and take assistance from volunteers of NSS, NCC, Scouts, and Guides. Special emphasis was laid on providing priority voting facilities to PwDs, senior citizens, voters above 80 years of age, and those who are unwell. Basic facilities such as wheelchairs, ramps, sheds, seating arrangements, drinking water, and toilets must be ensured at all polling stations, he added.

The Commissioner further directed that voter slips be distributed door-to-door by May 7, ensuring organised distribution rather than bulk delivery. Regular monitoring of this process was also emphasised. He emphasised launching special campaigns to increase voter turnout compared to previous elections so that more citizens exercise their franchise.

Building repairs, staff randomization, and grievance redressal

The State Election Commissioner directed to ensure immediate repair, cleanliness, and proper facilities—including toilets, drinking water, and approach roads—at schools, colleges, ITIs, polytechnics, and other buildings designated as polling or counting centers. Priority should be given to randomisation and timely training of polling staff. He said that for prompt redressal of election-related complaints, nodal officers will be appointed, and grievance redressal cells will remain active to ensure action within 48 hours.

Sh. Devinder Singh Kalyan also gave the directions to establish a single-window portal for providing NOCs, permissions, and other services to candidates in a time-bound manner. Clarifying doubts regarding the NOC process, the Commissioner said that required NOCs must be obtained only by the concerned candidate and not by any family member.

The State Election Commissioner reiterated that conducting elections in a free, fair, peaceful, and voter-friendly environment is the Commission’s top priority, and all departments must work in coordination to achieve this.

Officers from various departments also presented details of the arrangements made at their respective levels.

Panchkula, Deputy Commissioner, Sh. Satpal Sharma, Ambala Deputy Commissioner, Sh. Ajay Singh Tomer, Secretary, Haryana State Election Commission, Sh. Gaurav Kumar, along with election officers, Returning Officers, and other senior officers of the concerned districts, were present during the meeting.