Repoll in 2 booths of Ward 10 today

Tribune News Service

Mohali, February 16

The State Election Commission (SEC) has ordered re-polling in two booths of Ward No. 10 from where Cabinet Minister Balbir Singh Sidhu’s brother Amarjeet Singh Jeeti Sidhu is contesting the Mohali Municipal Corporation elections.

Deputy Commissioner-cum-District Electoral Officer Girish Dayalan, while sharing the order of the SEC, said the polling at two booths — No. 32 and 33 — of Ward No. 10 had been declared void and a repoll had been ordered that would take place on February 17 from 8 am to 4 pm.

Dayalan said the counting of the votes for the Mohali MC, which was to be held tomorrow, had now been deferred to February 18.

Electoral malpractices plaint

The District Electoral Officer said a complaint regarding alleged electoral malpractices was lodged on February 15 by a candidate, who sought repolling.

An inquiry was marked to the Mohali SDM-cum-Returning Officer for Ward 1 to 25 and point-wise findings, along with recommendations, were sought in 24 hours. During the inquiry, allegations made by the complainant were substantiated.

He said a complaint regarding alleged electoral malpractices was lodged on February 15 by a candidate, who sought repolling. He said an inquiry was marked to the Mohali SDM-cum-Returning Officer for Ward 1 to 25 and point-wise findings, along with recommendations, were sought in 24 hours.

During the inquiry, the allegations made by the complainant were substantiated. Since an “error/ irregularity in procedure is likely to vitiate the voting at a polling station” under Section 59 (C) of the Punjab State Election Commission Act, 1994, the matter was brought to the notice of the SEC for further action. “The sanctity and integrity of the poll process is paramount and should be above any suspicion or doubts. Since there were certain infirmities that create an element of doubt, the report was submitted to the SEC with the recommendation that the repoll for these booths be ordered,” said Dayalan. A detailed inquiry has also been ordered to look into the irregularities committed at the two polling booths of Ward No.10. The SEC, after perusal of the report, found that the polling process of the booths was vitiated as provided under Section 59 (C) of the State Election Commission Act, 1994, and ordered repoll and rescheduled the counting for the MC elections.

Council results today

Zirakpur: The fate of 125 candidates for 31 wards of the Zirakpur Municipal Council is expected to be decided by 11 am on Wednesday. As many as 78 candidates are in the fray from 19 wards of the Dera Bassi Municipal Council and 76 candidates from 17 wards of Lalru. The counting of votes will be held at the Zirakpur MC office, Dera Bassi government college and Government Senior Secondary School, Lalru. TNS

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