Former HSGMC chief seeks use of ballot papers in gurdwara polls

Former Haryana Sikh Gurdwara Management Committee (ad hoc) chief and president of Panthak Dal Jhinda Group Jagdish Singh Jhinda today urged the government to use ballot papers instead of EVMs in the upcoming gurdwara polls in the state.

Jhinda along with senior Sikh community members today submitted a memorandum to Deputy Commissioner in support of their demand.

He said, “The elections of the Haryana Sikh Gurdwara Management Committee will be held in January and the Election Commission has declared that EVMs will be used in the elections. There is a resentment among the Sikh Sangat because after the recently concluded Assembly elections in the country there are serious concerns related to the EVMs. People’s distrust has been increasing and the political parties have also raised questions over the EVMs. In democracy, the voice of the people must be heard and their choice must be given preference.”

“We have submitted a memorandum to the Deputy Commissioner and we have demanded that instead of EVMs, ballot papers should be used in the elections of the religious body. Even if the government sticks to the decision of using EVMs, we request the government to keep the ballot papers too so that the voters could use both the methods of voting. There will be no doubts and questions after the results if the tally of both the EVMs and ballot papers matches,” he added.

The Sikh leader said, “We have decided to field candidates in all 40 wards of the state under the banner of Panthak Dal Jhinda Group for which we have already started the process of selecting candidates. However, we are also trying to join hands with the like-minded groups for the election. I will contest the election from Assandh. The names of the candidates will be announced on December 20 so that the candidates get adequate time to file their nominations.”