Punjab Municipal Election 2026 – Security Deposit and Nomination Fees
Candidates planning to contest the Punjab Municipal Election 2026 should understand the nomination fee, payment procedure and applicable fee concessions before submitting Form 20. The nomination fee is prescribed under Rule 36 of the Punjab Municipal Election Rules, 1994.
The fee depends on the type and class of the municipal body. The rule specifies a fee of Rs. 200 for Municipal Corporation elections, Rs. 150 for Municipal Council Class-I elections, and Rs. 100 for Municipal Council Class-II, Municipal Council Class-III and Nagar Panchayat elections. Scheduled Caste candidates are entitled to pay 50% of the applicable full fee.
There is also a separate security deposit under Rule 89 of the Punjab Municipal Election Rules, 1994. That Rs. 500 deposit relates to filing an election petition and is not the nomination fee payable by a candidate when submitting Form 20.
Punjab Municipal Election 2026 – Overview
| Particular | Details |
|---|---|
| State | Punjab |
| Election Year | 2026 |
| Election Type | Municipal Corporation and Municipal Council Re-election |
| Districts | Patiala and Moga |
| Municipal Bodies | Patiala Municipal Corporation, Bagha Purana Municipal Council and Dharamkot Municipal Council |
| Total Affected Wards | 52 |
| Nomination Form | Form 20 |
| Applicable Nomination Fee Rule | Rule 36 |
| Election Petition Security Rule | Rule 89 |
| Election Authority | Punjab State Election Commission |
Punjab Municipal Election 2026 Nomination Fee – Complete Fee List
Rule 36 of the Punjab Municipal Election Rules, 1994 prescribes the following nomination fees according to the municipal body category:
| Municipal Body | General Candidate Fee | SC Candidate Fee (50%) |
|---|---|---|
| Municipal Corporation | Rs. 200 | Rs. 100 |
| Municipal Council Class-I | Rs. 150 | Rs. 75 |
| Municipal Council Class-II | Rs. 100 | Rs. 50 |
| Municipal Council Class-III | Rs. 100 | Rs. 50 |
| Nagar Panchayat | Rs. 100 | Rs. 50 |
Important: The 50% concession specified in Rule 36 is for Scheduled Caste candidates. Do not assume that the same concession automatically applies to every reserved category or to all women candidates.
1. Patiala Municipal Corporation Nomination Fee
Patiala is a Municipal Corporation. Under Rule 36, the prescribed nomination fee for a Municipal Corporation election is Rs. 200.
| Candidate Category | Nomination Fee |
|---|---|
| Other candidates | Rs. 200 |
| Scheduled Caste candidates | Rs. 100 |
The SC concession is calculated as 50% of the full fee. Candidates should confirm the applicable category and payment instructions with the Returning Officer before submitting their nomination.
Official election information: Patiala Municipal Corporation Re-election 2026 – 30 Wards
2. Bagha Purana Municipal Council Nomination Fee
Bagha Purana is a Municipal Council in Moga district. The exact Municipal Council class applicable for calculating its nomination fee should be confirmed from the current official classification or the Returning Officer.
Use the relevant fee from Rule 36 after confirming the council class:
- Class-I: Rs. 150 for other candidates and Rs. 75 for SC candidates.
- Class-II: Rs. 100 for other candidates and Rs. 50 for SC candidates.
- Class-III: Rs. 100 for other candidates and Rs. 50 for SC candidates.
Do not select a fee category merely because the municipal body is called a Municipal Council. Verify its official class before making payment.
Official district website: Moga District Administration
3. Dharamkot Municipal Council Nomination Fee
Dharamkot is also a Municipal Council in Moga district. Its applicable nomination fee depends on the Municipal Council class under the relevant official classification.
The Rule 36 fee rates are:
- Class-I: Rs. 150 for other candidates and Rs. 75 for SC candidates.
- Class-II: Rs. 100 for other candidates and Rs. 50 for SC candidates.
- Class-III: Rs. 100 for other candidates and Rs. 50 for SC candidates.
Candidates should ask the Returning Officer to confirm the applicable class and amount before depositing the nomination fee.
Official district website: Moga District Administration
Who Gets a 50% Nomination Fee Concession?
Rule 36 of the Punjab Municipal Election Rules, 1994 provides a 50% fee concession for Scheduled Caste candidates.
The concession is calculated on the full nomination fee applicable to the municipal body.
| Municipal Body | Full Fee | SC Candidate Fee |
|---|---|---|
| Municipal Corporation | Rs. 200 | Rs. 100 |
| Municipal Council Class-I | Rs. 150 | Rs. 75 |
| Municipal Council Class-II | Rs. 100 | Rs. 50 |
| Municipal Council Class-III | Rs. 100 | Rs. 50 |
| Nagar Panchayat | Rs. 100 | Rs. 50 |
Note: A candidate claiming the SC concession should follow the prescribed category declaration and certificate requirements. The applicable documents should be checked under Rule 36 and the latest election instructions.
Is There a Nomination Fee Concession for Women Candidates?
Rule 36 specifies a 50% fee concession for Scheduled Caste candidates. It does not expressly provide a separate general fee concession for all women candidates in the fee schedule reproduced above.
Therefore, a woman candidate should not assume that the nomination fee is automatically reduced merely because the ward is reserved for women. The applicable fee should be confirmed with the Returning Officer. A woman candidate who also qualifies for the Scheduled Caste concession may claim the concession subject to the prescribed rules and documents.
How to Pay Punjab Municipal Election Nomination Fee?
Rule 36 provides two payment methods for the nomination fee:
Method 1: Pay in Cash to the Returning Officer
- Prepare the prescribed Form 20 nomination paper.
- Confirm the applicable nomination fee for the municipal body.
- Pay the fee in cash to the Returning Officer along with the nomination paper.
- Obtain and keep the payment acknowledgement or receipt.
Method 2: Deposit the Fee in the Treasury
- Confirm the Treasury head specified by the Punjab State Election Commission.
- Deposit the applicable nomination fee in the Treasury.
- Collect the official Treasury receipt.
- Attach the Treasury receipt to the nomination paper.
- Keep a copy of the receipt for your records.
Important: Do not deposit money under an assumed Treasury head. Confirm the correct head and payment instructions with the Returning Officer or election authority.
What Is the Difference Between Nomination Fee and Security Deposit?
Nomination fee and election petition security deposit are two different payments under the Punjab Municipal Election Rules, 1994.
| Particular | Nomination Fee | Election Petition Security |
|---|---|---|
| Rule | Rule 36 | Rule 89 |
| Purpose | Payment made by a candidate while filing nomination | Security for costs relating to an election petition |
| Amount | Rs. 100 to Rs. 200, depending on municipal body category | Rs. 500 |
| Who Pays? | Candidate contesting the election | Petitioner or petitioners filing an election petition |
| When? | At the time of nomination or through Treasury as prescribed | At or before presentation of the election petition |
Rule 89 provides for a deposit of Rs. 500 in the Treasury as security for costs payable in connection with an election petition. This amount is not the nomination fee and should not be added to the candidates Form 20 payment.
What Is the Rs. 500 Security Deposit Under Rule 89?
Rule 89 of the Punjab Municipal Election Rules, 1994 deals with security for an election petition.
Under this rule, a petitioner or petitioners must deposit Rs. 500 in the Treasury in cash or Government promissory notes of equal value at or before presenting an election petition. The deposit is intended to provide security for costs that may become payable in the petition proceedings.
After the final orders in the election petition, the deposit may be returned after deducting any amount ordered to be paid towards costs, charges and expenses. The rule also addresses the return of the deposit where the petitioner withdraws the petition or dies during the proceedings.
Important: This Rs. 500 payment is relevant to an election petition after the election. It is not a security deposit required from every candidate when filing nomination papers.
Documents Required Along with Nomination Fee
Candidates should prepare the following documents, as applicable under the current election instructions:
- Form 20 nomination paper.
- Required category declaration for SC/BC candidates, where applicable.
- SC/BC certificate for candidates contesting a reserved SC/BC seat.
- Treasury receipt if the nomination fee is deposited in the Treasury.
- Candidate affidavit, if required by the current election instructions.
- Party sponsorship or authorisation document, if contesting on a party ticket.
- Electoral-roll particulars and identity documents as instructed by the Returning Officer.
For the detailed document checklist, candidates should also check the latest nomination instructions and the separate article on documents required for Punjab Municipal Election 2026.
How to Check the Latest Nomination Fee and Payment Instructions?
- Visit the Punjab State Election Commission website.
- Look for the latest municipal election notification and candidate instructions.
- Confirm the municipal bodys official classification.
- Ask the Returning Officer for the exact nomination fee and any applicable concession.
- Confirm whether cash payment or Treasury deposit is being accepted and obtain the correct Treasury head if needed.
- Keep the payment receipt safely and attach it to the nomination paper when required.
Official website: Punjab State Election Commission
Punjab Municipal Election 2026 – Important Official Links
- Punjab State Election Commission – Official Website
- Punjab Municipal Election Rules, 1994 – Official PDF
- Patiala Municipal Corporation Re-election 2026
- Moga District Administration
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. What is the nomination fee for Punjab Municipal Corporation Election 2026?
Under Rule 36, the nomination fee for a Municipal Corporation election is Rs. 200. The fee for an SC candidate is 50%, which is Rs. 100.
2. What is the nomination fee for Municipal Council Class-I?
The prescribed fee is Rs. 150 for other candidates and Rs. 75 for SC candidates.
3. What is the nomination fee for Municipal Council Class-II?
The prescribed fee is Rs. 100 for other candidates and Rs. 50 for SC candidates.
4. What is the nomination fee for Municipal Council Class-III?
The prescribed fee is Rs. 100 for other candidates and Rs. 50 for SC candidates.
5. What is the nomination fee for Nagar Panchayat elections?
The prescribed fee is Rs. 100 for other candidates and Rs. 50 for SC candidates.
6. Do SC candidates get a nomination fee concession?
Yes. Rule 36 provides a 50% concession for Scheduled Caste candidates on the full fee applicable to the municipal body.
7. Do women candidates get a 50% nomination fee concession?
Rule 36s fee provision specifies the 50% concession for Scheduled Caste candidates. It does not expressly provide a separate general concession for all women candidates.
8. Is the Rs. 500 security deposit required for filing a nomination?
No. The Rs. 500 deposit under Rule 89 relates to an election petition. It is not the nomination fee for candidates filing Form 20.
9. How can a candidate pay the nomination fee?
Rule 36 permits payment in cash to the Returning Officer along with the nomination paper or deposit in the Treasury under the head specified by the Commission. A Treasury receipt must be attached when payment is made through the Treasury.
10. What is the nomination fee for Patiala Municipal Corporation?
Patiala is a Municipal Corporation. The prescribed fee is Rs. 200 for other candidates and Rs. 100 for SC candidates under Rule 36.
11. What is the nomination fee for Bagha Purana and Dharamkot?
Both are Municipal Councils. The exact fee depends on their official Municipal Council class: Rs. 150 for Class-I or Rs. 100 for Class-II and Class-III, with a 50% concession for SC candidates. Confirm the applicable class with the Returning Officer.
12. Is the nomination fee refundable if a candidate withdraws?
The fee provision in Rule 36 does not establish a general refund entitlement merely because a candidate withdraws. Candidates should check the applicable rules and instructions before assuming that the fee will be returned.
Conclusion
For Punjab Municipal Election 2026, candidates should understand the nomination fee prescribed under Rule 36 of the Punjab Municipal Election Rules, 1994. The fee is Rs. 200 for Municipal Corporation elections, Rs. 150 for Municipal Council Class-I and Rs. 100 for Municipal Council Class-II, Class-III and Nagar Panchayat elections. Scheduled Caste candidates pay 50% of the applicable full fee.
The Rs. 500 security deposit under Rule 89 is a separate requirement for filing an election petition and is not payable by every candidate at the time of nomination.
Before depositing the fee, candidates from Patiala, Bagha Purana and Dharamkot should confirm the current instructions, municipal classification, payment method and any applicable concession with the Punjab State Election Commission or the concerned Returning Officer.
