Haryana Municipal Elections 2025: EVMs Confirmed as Congress's Ballot Paper Demand Rejected

Nominations for the Haryana municipal elections began on February 11, 2025, running from 11 AM to 3 PM daily until February 19. However, Panipat Municipal Corporation will start its nomination process from February 21. While BJP and Congress haven't announced their candidates yet, INLD is scheduled to meet in Sirsa, and JJP hasn't shown any significant movement regarding the elections.

Court's Decision on EVMs 

The Punjab and Haryana High Court has dismissed Congress's petition demanding ballot paper voting. Congress state president Udaibhan had questioned why ballot papers couldn't be used in Haryana when they were being used in Uttarakhand. 

Election Related Details

• Eight municipal corporations will elect both mayors and councilors  
• Two municipal corporations will elect only mayors 
• Elections will also be held for 4 municipal councils and 21 municipalities 
• Approximately 4,500 polling booths will be set up
• Around 10,000 EVM machines will be deployed 

Candidate Eligibility and Requirements  

Educational Qualifications: 

• General category male candidates: 10th pass mandatory  
• Women and SC candidates: 8th pass required
• SC women for councilor position: 5th pass minimum 

 Financial Aspects:

 Security deposits range from ₹1,500 for municipal members to ₹10,000 for mayor candidates 

Campaign expenditure limits:

• Mayor candidates: ₹30 lakhs
• Corporation councilors: ₹7.5 lakhs 
• Municipal council chairperson: ₹20 lakhs 
• Municipal council members: ₹4.5 lakhs
• Municipality chairperson: ₹12.5 lakhs 

Symbol Allocations

• BJP will contest corporation and council elections on their lotus symbol  
• Congress will use their hand symbol for corporation elections
• AAP has announced they will contest all seats on party symbol
• Independent candidates cannot use the helicopter symbol as it's reserved by LJP (Ram Vilas) 

Documents Requirements

• Candidates must declare criminal records and property details
• Declarations must be published in newspapers
• Ballot papers will include candidate photographs to avoid confusion