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Stage set for SGPC elections today
55 lakh voters to elect 170 representatives
Naveen S Garewal/TNS

Chandigarh, September 17
The stage is all set for the 14th Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) election in three states of Punjab, Haryana and Himachal Pradesh and the Union Territory of Chandigarh. Comprehensive arrangements have been made in these states where over 55 lakh voters will exercise their franchise to send 170 persons to the General House of the SGPC, considered as a mini Parliament by the Sikhs.

The run-up to the election has seen a lot of heat and uncertainty over the issue of who would be allowed to vote. Since the first SGPC elections in 1926, it is for the first time that only Keshdhari Sikhs have been included in the voters list. Estimated to be around 62 lakh, Sehajdharis have been denied voting right.

Punjab has the largest number of voters and polling booths, followed by Haryana, Himachal Pradesh and then Chandigarh. Out of the 170 booths spread over 120 constituencies (some have double seats), 157 are in Punjab, 11 in Haryana and 1 each in HP and Chandigarh.

According to Justice (Retd) H.S Brar, Chief Election Commissioner, Gurdwara Election Commission, the final number of voters in Punjab is 52,68,664. Haryana has 3,37681 voters, Himachal Pradesh has 23,011 and Chandigarh has 11,932 voters.

The election will be held in 150 out of the 157 constituencies in Punjab as 7 candidates have been elected unopposed. Out of these 6 constituencies are in Amritsar and one in Nawanshahar.

The stalwarts in the fray in Punjab include SGPC president Avtar Singh (Ludhiana West), SGPC president Bibi Jagir Kaur (Bholath), Education Minister Sewa Singh Sekwan, Agriculture Minister Sucha Singh Langah, former ministers Gobind Singh Longowal (Longowal) and Randhir Singh Cheema (Bassi Pathana), Rajinder Singh Mehta (Amritsar Central), Tota Singh (Moga), Kiranjit Kaur (Amritsar), Amarjit Singh Chawla (Anandpur Sahib), Simranjit Singh Mann and his son Eman Singh Mann, Jagjit Singh Talwandi (son of Jagdev Singh Talwandi), Kewal Singh (son of Gurdev Singh Badal), among others.

Despite the long-pending demand for a separate SGPC in Haryana, the election there too is being held under the existing Sikh Gurdwara Act, 1966. Though many Sikh leaders who are contesting these poll, they are strongly in favour of a separate Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee for Haryana. Important candidates in Haryana include D.S Nalwi (Kurukshetra) and Jagdish Singh Jinda (Karnal). Haryana has eight constituencies out of which three have two seats each.

Chandigarh is witnessing a contest among former UT Mayor Harjinder Kaur, Rajinder Singh Badheri and Gurnam Singh Sidhu

According to Justice Brar the election will be conducted strictly according to the provisions laid down in the Sikh Gurdwara Act, 1966. The Chief Commissioner Gurdwara Election Commission, Justice (Retd) H.S Brar said all preparations had been completed and final arrangements were being made for the conduct of the election. The Punjab Government has assured the commission that the Punjab Police will be able to handle the law and order situation and that Central security forces would no be required.

Poll talk

Polling to be held in Punjab, Haryana, HP, Chd

Only Keshdhari Sikhs included in the voters list

Nearly 62 lakh Sehajdharis denied voting right

Seven candidates have been elected unopposed

SGPC election

The Sikh Gurdwara Act passed in 1925

First 1926

Second 1930

Third 1933

Fourth 1936

Fifth 1939

Sixth 1942
(Till 1942 the terms of the SGPC house was 3 years)

Seventh 1944
(Terms of SGPC house increased to 5 years)

Eight 1955

Ninth 1960

Tenth 1965

Eleventh 1979

Twelfth 1996

Thirteenth 2004

Fourteenth 2011