Withdraw orders summoning officials, CEO asks SC panel

The Chief Electoral Officer, Punjab, has asked the Punjab State Scheduled Castes Commission to withdraw the letter summoning the Deputy Commissioner-cum-District Election Officer and Returning Officer-cum-SDM.

A letter in this regard was issued by the office of CEO on Wednesday evening. The officers were summoned by the commission over the casteist remarks by Punjab Congress chief Amrinder Raja Warring against former Union Minister Buta Singh.

The letter states that under Article 324 of the Constitution, the superintendence, control and conduct of all elections is vested with the Election Commission of India (ECI).

“Since the Returning Officer-cum-SDM, Taran Taran, and the DEO, Taran Taran, are actively involved in election duties in which polling is due on November 11, summoning of these officers will cause interference in the conduct of election and may tantamount to undue influence….” says the letter.