Countermand election, SAD urges Governor

Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, February 9

The SAD today urged Governor VP Singh Badnore to direct the state to countermand MC polls at places where nomination papers of Opposition candidates had been rejected en masse. Seeking his intervention, the party sought the deployment of paramilitary forces to ensure free and fair elections.

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An SAD delegation, comprising Prof Prem Singh Chandumajra, Maheshinder Singh Grewal, Dr Daljit Singh Cheema and Surjit Singh Rakhra, called on the Governor and apprised him of the alleged electoral malpractices in the state.

The delegation informed the Governor about the recent attack on Sukhbir Badal at Jalalabad and claimed the state was yet to proceed in the matter as per the complaint of the SAD chief submitted by the SP (Security). It urged the Governor to direct the government to take action against the Congress legislator and his son for the assault.

Prof Chandumajra told

the Governor the State Election Commission (SEC)

had abrogated its responsibility by allowing en masse rejection of party candidates’ nominations in Zira, Guruharsahai, Maluka, Mehraj, Bhai Roopa, Mandi Gobindgarh and Ferozepur.

“A delegation had requested the SEC to countermand the elections at these places and hold fresh elections, but the SEC expressed its helplessness in doing so,” the Governor was informed.

Prof Chandumajra urged the Governor to direct fresh elections on such seats besides deployment of paramilitary forces, allowing videography inside polling booths and ensuring votes were polled the same day.

The members also requested the Governor to direct the state to take action against Congress “goons” who had resorted to violence at many places, including Bhikhiwind, where the residence of an SAD leader was attacked by armed assailants in the present on the local police.

It said there were also instances of vandalising of vehicles of Akali supporters and other irregularities, including changing of wards of voters in the Batala Municipal Committee.