ADC holds meeting with political parties, briefs process of nomination filing and ECI guidelines

Ludhiana, May 25, 2025: Additional District election officer (ADEO)-cum Additional deputy commissioner (G) Rohit Gupta on Sunday chaired a meeting with representatives from various political parties in the district headquarters to brief them about the process of nomination filing for the Ludhiana West by-poll in adherence to the guidelines of the Election Commission of India (ECI).

Gupta said that as per the program issued for by-elections, the notification of the by-poll will be issued on May 26 (Monday).  The last date for filing nominations is June 2 and the scrutiny of nomination papers will be conducted on June 3, while the last date for withdrawal of candidature is June 5.  The polling will be held on June 19 from 7 am to 6 pm and the counting will be held on June 23. 

Nominations will be accepted between 11 AM and 3 PM, with only five individuals, including the candidate, permitted during filing. Candidates must be electors of any constituency in the state. Security deposits are set at Rs 10,000 for general category candidates and Rs 5,000 for SC/ST candidates, to be deposited before or during nomination filing. A certified voter list copy must accompany the nomination form, mandatory for candidates from outside Ludhiana. Recognized parties require one proposer, while independents and unrecognized parties need ten. Candidates must submit a recent passport-sized photograph (not older than three months, white background, no uniforms). Political parties and candidates are also required to publish candidates’ criminal antecedents three times in two different language newspapers. Gupta urged all parties to cooperate for a peaceful and fair election process.

Meeting with Hotel and Marriage Palace Owners: Monitoring Bookings

In a separate meeting, Gupta directed owners of hotels and marriage palaces falling under the jurisdiction of Ludhiana West assembly to submit daily booking reports to the election office. This measure aims to monitor political activities during the Model Code of Conduct period. Owners must inform the administration in advance about events and seek necessary permissions to ensure transparency and compliance.

Round the clock monitoring of liquor vends

In another meeting, Gupta ordered 24x7 CCTV surveillance of breweries, bottling plants, warehouses, and godowns to prevent unauthorized liquor distribution. He emphasized continuous monitoring of liquor vends and thorough checks of vacant houses, plots, and flats near these facilities, which could be used for illicit liquor storage. These measures aim to maintain strict control over liquor movement during the election period.

Gupta reiterated the district administration’s commitment to upholding ECI guidelines, fostering a transparent and fair electoral process. He called for cooperation from all stakeholders to ensure the by-poll is conducted smoothly and peacefully.