Ensure registration of eligible Sikh voters: SGPC to poll panel

Tribune News Service

Amritsar, August 10

SGPC president Harjinder Singh Dhami today shot off a letter to Chief Commissioner Gurdwara Election Justice (retd) SS Saron urging him to ensure transparency in the registration of genuine eligible Sikh voters for the upcoming general elections of Shiromani Committee.

He alleged that the Punjab government was ignoring the rules set for registration for gurdwara elections. He said that the SGPC had received complaints from the Sangat from different areas of the state that government employees tasked to register votes were registering votes from the voter lists of Lok Sabha and Vidhan Sabha without verification while ignoring the rules.

He said there was a strong apprehension of violation of the condition of being an Amritdhari (baptised) and Sabat Soorat (with unshorn hair) Sikh.

Dhami wrote to Justice Saron to issue strict directions in this connection so that no non-Sikh and ineligible voter is registered. He said that it is the primary duty of the Gurdwara Election Commission to ensure voter registration as per the rules for electing the members of the Sikh organisation and the Commission should pay close attention to the objections and concerns of the Sangat.

He also urged to issue orders ensuring proper access to the voter registration process for the Amritdhari and Sabat Soorat Sikh voters and verify the identity of each voter besides registering their form with the latest photographs.