District Election Officer Sakshi Sawhney on Tuesday stated since the imposition of the Model Code of Conduct on March 16, the administration has so far registered the poll expenditure amounting to Rs 1.11 crore in the accounts of various political parties in Ludhiana.
Sawhney also that the expenditure limit set by the Election Commission of India for a candidate in upcoming Lok Sabha elections is Rs 95 lakh. After successful nomination of candidates, any kind of expenditure on electioneering will be booked in the candidate's account. She added that Atam Nagar, Gill, and Ludhiana South constituencies under the Ludhiana Parliamentary constituency (PC), and the Sahnewal Assembly segment under Fatehgarh Sahib PC, are expenditure-sensitive. The election teams will keep a close vigil in these constituencies.
District Election Officer disclosed that the district administration had enrolled 57856 first-time voters. As of now, there are 2689481 electors in Ludhiana district, including 1433062 males, 1256270 females, and 149 third genders. Under the Ludhiana parliamentary constituency, there are 935071 males, 819447 females, and 132 third genders.
Sawhney also announced that only five persons, including the candidate, will be allowed to enter the place where the nominations will be filed from May 7 to May 14. She said that elaborate arrangements had been made to ensure that the nomination process was held smoothly, freely and fairly. Nominations for the polls would be received from 11 am to 3 pm. She also clarified that the nomination would also be accepted on May 10. Papers would not be submitted on May 11 and 12 due to gazetted holidays. The scrutiny of papers will be held on May 15, and the last date for the withdrawal of candidature is May 17. The polling on all 13 Lok Sabha seats will be held on June 1 from 7 am to 6 pm.
Sawhney urged the voters to participate enthusiastically to achieve the target of 'Iss Vaar 70 Paar' and assured that the arrangements of lemon water, sweetened water, fans, sheds, and seating facilities would be ensured at polling booths. Besides these arrangements, the administration would also arrange pick and drop facilities on June 1.