It is learnt that some 1,300 employees are eligible to vote in the election. Last time some 150 teachers voted, but this time their right to vote has been scrapped as the Union has changed its name. Some 50 subject experts have also lost the right to vote. The depo of the board all over the state has been divided into two zones -- Jalandhar and Sangrur. They will elect one representative each and send them to the general body of 18 members. As a result, the right to vote of about 250 depo personnel has also been scrapped. It has been decided that out of the total 18 members, seven seats will be reserved: two each for depo personnel and ladies and three for class IV employees. The remaining 11 seats will be a open fight, said sources.

According to sources, a three-member election commission has been set up to monitor the elections of the Union. The members are -- Parveeen Rattan, Sukhpal Singh and Gujinder Singh. The nominations were filed on October 18 and the scrutiny and withdrawal was also completed on the same day. After the withdrawal of nominations, three persons were left in the field for the post of president and three for the general secretary. In the first group, Karnail Singh Kalair is running for president and Harbans Singh Dholewal for general secretary. The second group consists of G.S. Dhillon for president and R.S. Toki for general secretary. In the last group, Jarnail Singh Chunni for president and J.S. Brar are contenders for general secretary.

The campaigning started on Saturday with candidates going to individuals and asking for their vote. From Monday, the campaign will kick off with a setting up of a common stage for campaigning, on which all the groups will put forward their agendas.