CHANDIGARH: The polling for 18 Zila Parishad and 138 block samitis started Monday in which 1.51 crore voters will use their right of franchise.

This will be first test of popularity of ruling Shiromani Akali Dal(SAD) and BJP after assuming office about 14 months back. The ruling alliance has direct fight with Congress party but at certain places the candidates of alliance partners are also facing each other. This has led to clashes between SAD and BJP workers at certain places.

Meanwhil, the State Election Commission, Punjab has  postponed the elections of the Five Panchayat Samitis to 26th May which were scheduled to be held on 12th May 2008 in the state.

Disclosing this here Sunday a spokesman of the State Election Commission, Punjab said that on the directions of  Punjab and Haryana High Court, the elections to Panchayat Samitis Sri Hargobindpur Zone No. 11 Dakkha in district Gurdaspur, and Panchayat Samitis Chola Sahib Zone No. 11 Dhathal, Panchayat Samitis Naushera Pannua Zone No. 7 Warana, Panchayat Samitis Chola Sahib Zone No. 14 Varia Nawein and Panchayat Samitis Naushera Pannua No. 9 Rakh Sheron all in District Tarn Taran have been postponed to 26th May.

He said that as per the election schedule, specific date has to be fixed for withdrawal and allotment of symbols. Further period of campaigning would also to be allowed. Accordingly it is directed that polls to the above said Panchayat Samitis, which were scheduled to be held on 12.05.2008, have been hereby postponed.  Further, the polls to these bodies would be held on 26.05.2008. The date of withdrawal would be 19th May 2008 and symbols would be allotted thereafter.

He added that the concerned District Electoral Officers have been also directed by the State Election Commission in this regard to take further necessary actions immediately under intimation to the Commission.