Filing of nomination papers for Punjab polls to begin today

The process of filing of nomination papers by candidates of different political parties contesting the February 4 Assembly polls in Punjab will begin on Wednesday.

The poll process will be notified on Wednesday, an election office spokesman said here on Tuesday.

Candidates can file their nomination papers from on Wednesday up till January 18.

While scrutiny of nomination papers will take place on January 19, the withdrawal of candidature can be done till January 21.

The polling will take place in a single phase on February four, whereas the counting of votes will take place on March 11. A high stake election will be held in the state where SAD-BJP will make an attempt to remain in power for the third term whereas Congress and new entrant Aam Aadmi Party will try to wrest power. Punjab will witness a multi-cornered contest on all the 117 Assembly seats.

While Congress is going alone on 117 seats, ruling Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) and its ally BJP will contest on 94 and 23 seats respectively.