Priyanka Singh (extreme left) files her nomination papers for civic polls at Patna collectorate on Wednesday. Picture by Jai Prakash

The state election commission is contemplating to ease the parameters to gauge the credentials of the candidates seeking election to Patna Municipal Corporation (PMC), scheduled for May 16.

The commission’s decision to make property valuation certificates mandatory for filing nominations has left many aspirants to the PMC in the lurch. Several of them complained that after the order was issued, they had been running from pillar to post to get their assets evaluated on time.

“We have received complaints that many candidates are experiencing difficulty in getting property valuation certificate. Therefore, we are considering to relax the norms. By Thursday, we will decide what alternative provisions we can make,” joint election commissioner Ahibhushan Pandey told The Telegraph.

He added that submitting an affidavit or a receipt of paid holding taxes could be the other alternatives.

Issuing a notification, the commission had made submission of valuation certificate of the building/ flat/plot owned by the candidates mandatory on the lines of Lok Sabha and Assembly elections apart from the updated mutation certificate and 11 other documents. But the minimum rates of the flats and lands in the entire state were revised from April 1 and the registry offices received the detailed rates on April 10.

“Many valuers still do not have the details of the revised rates. I own a flat in Punaichak and a land in Naubatpur locality. I have been trying to get my property assessed for the past five days but have been finding it very difficult. I hired a registered valuer a few days back but he said he would take time to get the chart of the new rates. Time is ticking by,” said a distraught Priyanka Sharma, who wishes to file a nomination from ward number 15.

Patna mayor Afzal Imam said several councillors were facing the same problem.

“Till the last civic elections, we had to produce no-dues certificate, an affidavit from the court, a residential certificate and a caste certificate. Procuring these documents was not difficult. This year, many new things have been introduced. Getting a property valuation certificate is proving tough for many candidates, including the councillors. The valuers are certainly the most sought-after people these days,” he added.

The election commission had earlier notified that only registered valuers or registered architects would be authorised to issue the property valuation certificate after the assessment of the candidates’ land and property. But the norm was relaxed and retired officers of the rank of assistant engineers or above were allowed to hand out the certificate. But many candidates are yet to find the right person to get their assets valued, as nominations can only be filed between April 16 and 24.