Impose penalty against Bholath EO: ECI to deptt

Following a complaint lodged by Bholath MLA Sukhpal Khaira, the Election Commission of India has asked the Additional Chief Secretary of the Local Bodies Department to take disciplinary action against Executive Officer of Bholath Randeep Waraich. Waraich had allegedly participated in the bypoll campaign of AAP candidate Sanjeev Arora in Ludhiana West last week.

The Joint Chief Election Officer of Punjab has called for initiation of a major penalty against Waraich for violating the Conduct Rules of a civil servant. He has also called for a compliance report in his office at the earliest.

Waraich's presence in Ludhiana campaign had been noticed through the Facebook page of Harsimran Singh, halqa incharge of AAP. After Khaira reported the same on June 16, the social media team of the Chief Electoral Officer (CEO), Punjab, also checked the page.

Secretary ECI Ashwani Kumar wrote to the CEO, Punjab, that the EO had violated Rule 5 of the Government Employees (Conduct) Rules of the Punjab Government.

Khaira had complained to the ECI that the involvement of a public official like Waraich in the election campaigning not only undermines the integrity of the electoral process, but also raises serious concerns about the misuse of official machinery and resources. Such actions compromise the principles of free and fair elections, which are the cornerstone of our democracy."

Seeking a response from the ECI, he had written, "I trust that the Election Commission will act swiftly to address this matter and uphold the sanctity of the electoral process. Ensuring impartiality and adherence to the Model Code of Conduct is critical to maintaining public faith in our democratic institutions. Kindly take an appropriate disciplinary and legal action against the officer as per the applicable rules and regulations."