Minimum 21 years age required to contest sarpanch polls: Collector

Nellore: In accordance with directives from the State Election Commission (SEC) for conducting Gram Panchayat elections, Nellore District Collector and District Election Officer Himanshu Shukla released official candidate eligibility guidelines on Tuesday.

In an official press release, Collector Shukla outlined the mandatory requirements for candidates contesting Sarpanch positions. Contesting candidates must be at least 21 years of age and enrolled in the electoral roll of the concerned Gram Panchayat. Government employees are strictly ineligible to file nominations. Candidates must obtain Nomination Form-III from the Returning Officer (RO) and submit it signed by both the candidate and a proposer who is a registered voter in the same Gram Panchayat.

Essential documents include photocopies of voter ID (EPIC), government identity proof, four to six passport-size photos, and an SSC marks memo or birth certificate. Caste certificates are mandatory for reserved seats, while SC, ST, and BC candidates contesting general seats may also submit them to claim security deposit concessions.

Additionally, a Panchayat No-Dues Certificate and a signed two-witness affidavit detailing criminal records, assets, liabilities, education, and children are required. The security deposit is set at Rs3,000 for general category candidates and Rs1,500 for SC, ST, and BC candidates. Candidates or their proposers may submit between one and four sets of nomination papers. A dedicated helpline (80089 56365) has been set up to assist candidates with documentation.

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The Hans India