Punjab assembly poll preparations intensify, dates expected in January
The Chief Election Commissioner will visit the state in the last days of November to review arrangements. On the other hand, the race for ticket claims among political parties has intensified.
Administrative and political activity has intensified in view of the provincial elections to be held in 2027. To assess the arrangements, the Chief Election Commissioner will visit the state during the final days of this month. After reviewing the arrangements for five states, the commission may announce the dates in the opening week of the coming year.
The tenure of the current assembly is set to complete on March 16, 2027. Therefore, voting is expected to take place in late February or early March. Senior officers of the commission had visited here on October 27 and 28 to prepare a preliminary report. Now, the Chief Election Commissioner will hold joint meetings with representatives of various political parties, deputy commissioners, superintendents of police, the chief secretary, and the DGP.
During this visit, the rectification of voter lists, monitoring of hypersensitive polling stations, maintenance of EVMs, and the work of teams formed to prevent the distribution of cash or drugs will be scrutinized. In addition, the technical framework of the Suvidha portal and the cVigil mobile app will also be tested.
On the political front, the race regarding the selection of candidates has already begun. The Aam Aadmi Party had announced the names of 40 sitting MLAs on October 31, and the next list is now under consideration. Several leaders and legislators aspiring for tickets are reaching Delhi to establish contact with party convenor Arvind Kejriwal and Manish Sisodia.
There is discussion within the party that new candidates could be fielded in place of some MLAs with poor performance records. Due to this apprehension, several legislators are approaching the high command to secure their claims.
In the Jagraon assembly constituency, the internal contest over the ticket has also intensified. Vijay Danav, chairman of the Dalit Vikas Board, has stepped up activities against Sarbjit Kaur Manuke, the MLA who has won from there twice. Due to the presence of local workers in the events organized by Danav, new equations are emerging among ticket contenders.
Key developments
- Chief Election Commissioner to visit Punjab in late November to review poll preparations
- Assembly election dates likely to be announced in early January 2027
- Current assembly's term ending on March 16, 2027
- Deliberations begin for AAP's next list following announcement of 40 candidates
