*SIR 2026: Draft Electoral Roll Published in the State of Punjab : Anindita Mitra CEO Punjab*
Meeting with representatives of recognised political parties and Draft Electoral Roll handed over.
*One day special camp* to be held at all polling booths on *August 16, Sunday* to facilitate electors for checking the details
Help Desks to be set up at DEO and ERO offices across State to assist voters locate their names in the published Draft Electoral Roll
Chandigarh, August 13:The Draft Electoral Roll, 2026 for all 117 Assembly Constituencies in the State under the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) 2026 was published today in accordance with the programme announced by the Election Commission of India. The publication marks the commencement of the second phase: *Period of Filing Claims and Objections from 13th August, 2026 to 12th September, 2026, and the Notice Phase/Disposal of Claims & Objections from 13th August, 2026 to 8th October, 2026*.
As part of the revision process, a meeting under the chairpersonship of Ms. Anindita Mitra, IAS, Chief Electoral Officer, was held today with representatives of recognised political parties. During the meeting, CEO Punjab handed over the Draft Electoral Roll to the representatives of the recognised political parties.
They were also briefed about the prescribed forms: Form 6 for inclusion of names, Form 6a for the inclusion of NRI voters, Form 7 for deletion of names, and Form 8 for correction of entries or shifting.
She further informed that Young citizens with the qualifying date of 01.10.2026 are eligible for enrolment. The representatives of Political Parties were apprised of various platforms, including the Citizen Service Portal and the “Book a Call Request with BLO” facility.
CEO Punjab, Ms. Anindita Mitra, IAS, added that, for the convenience of electors, a One day Special Camp under the Special Intensive Revision is being organized at all polling booths on August 16, 2026 to facilitate electors in checking the details. BLOs will be present at polling stations from 10 AM to 1 PM to assist in checking details in the Draft Roll and to support voters with all electoral services.
She further added that a Help Desk will be set up at the DEO and ERO offices across state to display the published Draft Electoral Roll.
The CEO apprised that electors can check their details in the published Draft Electoral Roll, available on the website of CEO Punjab (www.ceopunjab.gov.in) and on the citizen portal (voters.eci.gov.in).
Citizens whose names do not appear in the Draft Electoral Roll may submit their claims, along with the prescribed declaration and supporting documents, for inclusion during the Claims and Objections period from 13th August, 2026 to 12th September, 2026.
Citizens requiring assistance may contact the Voter Helpline No. 1950 or avail the “Book a Call Request with BLO” facility available on the ECINET Mobile Application.
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*Punjab Advances Mental Health Reforms with State Mental Health Authority*
*Patients, Caregivers, Psychiatrists And NGOs To Get Representation In Punjab’s State Mental Health Authority*
*Revitalisation Of State Mental Health Authority Will Ensure Stronger Safeguards For Dignity, Rights Of Persons With Mental Illness: Dr Balbir Singh*
CHANDIGARH, August 13:In a significant push to bolster mental healthcare governance and ensure the protection of the rights of persons with mental illness, Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann-led Punjab Government is in the process of empowering the State Mental Health Authority (SMHA).
This move by the Bhagwant Mann Government will ensure a broad framework for regulating mental health services, expand access to better mental healthcare across Punjab, and keep up the pace with the state’s flagship campaign against drug abuse, Yudh Nashean Virudh.
The State Mental Health Authority serves as the state’s apex statutory body that oversees and regulates the implementation of the Mental Healthcare Act, 2017. It is responsible for registering and supervising mental health establishments, setting quality and service standards, registering specified mental health professionals, and advising the government on matters relating to mental health policy. At the same time, it will also ensure that the rights guaranteed under the Act are implemented.
The framework also includes Mental Health Review Boards (MHRBs) for districts. Each Board is chaired by a District Judge or eligible judicial officer and provides an independent mechanism for reviewing admissions and treatment decisions, hearing complaints and rights violations, reviewing advance directives and nominated representatives, and inspecting mental health establishments where required.
The Authority brings under one roof administrators and experts from various departments. As envisaged under the Act, it is chaired by the Principal Secretary of the Health Department. Apart from the Chairperson, other senior officials from health, medical education, and social welfare departments are also included. Currently, the state has nominated names for non-official members for the authority to ensure both administrative and community representation. The state is adding psychiatrists, persons representing persons with mental illness, caregivers, NGOs, and other key stakeholders to the Authority. This further strengthens the government’s mandate to make mental wellbeing and the fight against substance use a public movement.
The initiative assumes significance since Punjab is expanding its mental healthcare infrastructure at the district level through tele-mental health services, counselling initiatives, and community-based interventions. The expansion of its already existing mental health services has accelerated after its flagship campaign, Yudh Nashean Virudh, took off. The SMHA is expected to integrate these efforts under a robust regulatory framework while ensuring that patients receive care in accordance with nationally prescribed standards.
On this, Punjab Health and Family Welfare Minister Dr Balbir Singh said, “Participation of community members in SMHA will help ensure even stronger safeguards for the autonomy, dignity, and legal rights of persons who suffer from mental illness, as envisioned under the Mental Healthcare Act, including those suffering from addiction.”
He added, “With the revitalization of the State Mental Health Authority, Punjab is prioritizing the creation of a patient-centric and rights-based mental healthcare system that is more accountable and capable of responding to the growing demand for mental health and deaddiction services across the state.”
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Harabhajan Singh ETO reviewed road development works across Punjab, issued directions to ensure uninterrupted road traffic during the monsoon season_
_Punjab Government led by Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann is committed to providing better transportation network to the people of the state: Harbhajan Singh ETO_
*Chandigarh, August 13*Punjab Public Works Minister S. Harbhajan Singh ETO, while reviewing the progress of road development works across Punjab during a meeting held at Punjab Bhawan today, said that the Punjab Government led by Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann is committed to providing a better transportation network to the people of the state.
The Cabinet Minister informed that the Punjab Government led by Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann is undertaking construction and renovation work of 45,000 kilometers of roads in the state. During the meeting, he assessed the constituency-wise and division-wise status of ongoing works related to state highways and link roads under the jurisdiction of the Public Works Department.
Emphasizing the timely completion of works, the Cabinet Minister directed all officers to continuously inspect the roads under the department during the monsoon season and ensure uninterrupted traffic flow. He also guided that during the monsoon season when bitumen work cannot be carried out, WBM roads should be rolled so that they are ready for bitumen work after the rains. He directed the department officers to monitor the progress on a daily basis so that the works can be completed on time. The highway works near Adampur in connection with the 650th birth anniversary of Guru Ravidas Ji were also reviewed.
Stressing on quality control, the Public Works Minister apprised the officers about the government's policy to ensure quality work so that public money is not wasted in any form. He further instructed that continuous inspection and monitoring should be carried out at every level by the concerned officers so that high standards are strictly maintained at the ground level. He told the officers to ensure strict compliance with required signage, lane marking and quality control standards at every stage.
The Cabinet Minister directed all concerned officers to immediately submit pending fund demands and release payments so that there is no delay in the progress of works.
The Public Works Minister said that he will review the progress of the works again very soon.
The meeting was attended by PWD Secretary Ravi Bhagat, Joint Secretary Amarbeer Sidhu, Engineer-in-Chief Gagandeep Singh, Chief Engineers Anil Gupta and Arshdeep Singh, and Superintending Engineers along with Executive Engineers.
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