Use updated voter list for MC elections, SAD tells poll panel

Senior leaders of the Shiromani Akali Dal (Badal), Ranjit Singh Khurana, urban constituency in-charge, and Rajinder Singh Chandi, the rural constituency in-charge, have raised concerns over the upcoming Municipal Corporation elections in Phagwara. They have urged the Sub-Divisional Magistrate-cum-Election Officer Jashanjit Singh, Deputy Commissioner, Kapurthala, and the State Election Commission to ensure that the elections are conducted using the updated 2024 voters’ list instead of the outdated 2021 rolls.

Speaking to the media, Khurana and Chandi pointed out that the elections are being conducted under the ward demarcations of 2020 and the voters’ list was updated only until May 5, 2021. They criticised this approach, calling it a blatant injustice to thousands of young voters who have become eligible since then. They further highlighted that several voters listed in the outdated rolls have either passed away or relocated, making the 2021 rolls unsuitable for holding fair elections.

The SAD leaders demanded that the voters’ list be revised to include all eligible voters as of November 25, 2024. They called for Booth Level Officers (BLOs) to update the lists to reflect the current demography of the wards, ensuring that names of the deceased or relocated voters are removed and new voters are included.

Khurana stated, “It is crucial to ensure that every eligible voter, particularly the youth, gets the right to cast their vote. Using outdated voter rolls undermines the democratic process and denies rightful participation to thousands.” He urged the authorities to safeguard democratic principles by issuing directives for the inclusion of all newly registered voters.”

The leaders expressed the hope that timely intervention would ensure a fair and transparent election process that upholds the sanctity of democracy.