Symbols changed ‘at last moment’, Congress nominees seek cancellation of poll process

Accusing the authorities in the District Election Office, Ludhiana, of allegedly stopping them from being elected as sarpanch and panch of their village panchayat on instance of Aam Aadmi Party leaders, the nominees have sought intervention of the State Election Commission to cancel the election process and take action against erring personnel.

Led by local Congress leaders, supporters of the nominees sat on dharna outside the polling station to protest against the alleged violation of the electioneering process and boycott the polling process.

Denying any default on their part the polling staff argued ballot papers were opened in presence of all candidates and their polling agents and senior functionaries were updated on the issue.

Residents led by Congress leader Harbans Kaur alleged authorities in the administration had violated guidelines of the State Election Commission with the intent to stop aspirants owing allegiance to their party from getting elected to the village panchayat.

“While the authorities had cancelled nomination papers of our two aspirants during scrutiny, they have now changed election symbols of sarpanch nominee Sandeep Singh and panch nominee Dalwinder Singh from Ward 1, forcing us to boycott the polling process,” Harbans Kaur said, maintaining the irregularities had been intimated to higher authorities including SEC and District Election Officer, Ludhiana.

Perusal of records revealed that Sandeep Singh had been allotted badminton and football was allotted to Balwinder Singh on October 5 and both the candidates continued their campaign by highlighting their symbols till early morning on Tuesday.

However, the candidates were shocked to learn after reaching the polling booths that their symbols had been changed without any prior notice. The aspirants alleged the returning officer had refused to entertain any of their inquiries and asked them to leave the booth.