Election panel cancels poll in 20 Muktsar villages, cites ‘illegalities’

The State Election Commission has cancelled polling at 24 panchayats in 20 villages of the Gidderbaha Assembly segment in Muktsar following numerous complaints of “illegalities” in the election process. The fresh voting schedule for these villages will be announced after October 15.

Several aspirants had filed petitions in this regard in the Punjab and Haryana High Court as well.

The 20 villages include Assa Buttar, Daddu Mohalla Mallan, Khirkianwala, Wara Kishanpura, Lohara (four panchayats), Buttar Shrinh, Kothe Hazure Wale, Kothe Dhaba Wale, Kothe Kesar Singh Wale, Bharu, Daula, Kothe Himmatpura, Bhunder, Lundewala, Smagh, Manian Wala, Sheikh, Khunan Khurd, Madhir (two panchayats) and Buttar Bakhua.

The commission in its orders stated that the returning officers (ROs) of five clusters of Gidderbaha block, Muktsar ADC (D) Surinder Singh Dhillon and Gidderbaha SDM Jaspal Singh Brar were summoned and the record was examined.

“....after examining the record of nomination forms and comparing it with the list of withdrawn candidates, it becomes apparent that the signatures of the said candidates on the withdrawal forms and nomination forms, filed by them, prima facie do not evenly match... it is also observed that no date has been mentioned by the concerned returning officers... Such activity leads the Commission to come to a conclusion that there has likely been some manipulation in the acceptance of the alleged withdrawal forms, thus giving an undue advantage to the remaining candidate/candidates in the election process, and such action has the effect of vitiating the election process and needs to be quickly addressed by the Commission... Any declaration of candidates having been elected unopposed in these villages is declared to be null and void,” stated the order issued by State Election Commissioner Raj Kamal Chaudhuri.

Earlier, the Congress workers led by PCC chief Amrinder Singh Raja Warring and SAD activist led by their party chief Sukhbir Singh Badal had lodged protests at the SDM office in Gidderbaha in this regard.

Meanwhile, both Warring and Sukhbir today tried to take the credit of the State Election Commission’s decision. AAP leader Pritpal Sharma, who unsuccessfully contested the 2022 Assembly poll from Gidderbaha also welcomed the decision.