Panchayat Poll: Jagatpura election suspended over ‘anomalies’ in voter list

The State Election Commission has suspended the election of Jagatpura Gram Panchayat in Mohali Subdivision.

As per the orders, Mohali SDM-cum-Electoral Registration Officer has been directed to prepare a fresh voter list for Jagatpura, excluding the voters of Guru Nanak Colony, in accordance with the law. The order read, “As the schedule for the general gram panchayat elections in the state has already been announced, with the polling due on October 15, the correction of the electoral roll qua Gram Panchayat Jagatpura be carried out by the SDM after the completion of the poll process. All processes carried out towards filing of nominations are terminated with immediate effect.”

Residents expressed relief at the decision, saying that the current list had only 900 names, who were natives of the village, while the rest of the 5,500 voters, including those from three colonies, were migrant workers. “These three colonies were arbitrarily joined with the village, despite several objections,” they said.

The order also stated that the elections would not be conducted during the general gram panchayat elections, but would be separately notified by the commission later, upon completion of the said formalities and that the DC would ensure it.

Congress leader Balbir Singh Sidhu said, “These elections are being held in an arbitrary way. The High Court’s orders are being violated. In Papdi, Kurada and Kuradi, sarpanch and panch candidates have been accused of encroaching panchayat lands. During the scrutiny process, the AAP’s officials are having a free-run, while the police are not allowing others inside.”