Chandigarh, June 1
The Election Commission of India (EC) has reportedly turned down the Gurdwara Election Commission’s request for supplying electronic voting machines for the July 11 SGPC elections.
Though Chief Commissioner of Gurdwara Elections J.S. Sekhon was not available for comments despite repeated attempts, sources in his office revealed that a letter had indeed been written to the EC for the machines.
The machines, they assert, would have gone a long way in “further ensuring a free and fair” poll. Moreover, the machines would have saved precious time and money.
The sources said the preparation and printing of ballot papers for the elections was not only expensive but also a long and tardy process. The declaration of poll results, was also delayed in the case of manual counting of votes as it was a “slow process”.
Meanwhile, the Gurdwara Election Commission today issued a notification for the SGPC elections.
The nomination papers could be filed till June 8, Chief Commissioner of Gurdwara Elections J.S. Sekhon said.
Scrutiny would be done on June 11. In the case of rejection of nominations, candidates could file revision petitions before the commission on June 14 and 15. The nomination papers could be withdrawn till June 21.
Counting would begin soon after the polling on July 11. The results would be
officially announced on July 15.
The last SGPC general house elections were held in 1996. In the 170-member SGPC general house, Punjab has 157 seats. Haryana 11 and Chandigarh and Himachal one each. As many as 30 seats are reserved for women and 20 for the Scheduled Castes.
Meanwhile, the Gurdwara Election Commission today issued a notification for the SGPC elections.
The nomination papers could be filed till June 8, Chief Commissioner of Gurdwara Elections J.S. Sekhon said.
Scrutiny would be done on June 11. In the case of rejection of nominations, candidates could file revision petitions before the commission on June 14 and 15. The nomination papers could be withdrawn till June 21.
Counting would begin soon after the polling on July 11. The results would be
officially announced on July 15.
