Punjab panchayat elections in 20 villages canceled amid explosive nomination scandal and allegations of bias

The Punjab State Election Commission has canceled panchayat elections in 20 villages of Giddarbaha in Muktsar district where candidates were elected unopposed as sarpanchs following complaints of irregularities in the nomination process for the polls. October 15

A new date for the elections in these villages will be announced later, the state poll panel said in an order.

The election schedule for 20 gram panchayats: Assa Buttar, Daddu Mohalla Mallan, Khirkian Wala, Wara Kishanpura, Lohara, Buttar Sarih, Kothe Hazure Wale, Kothe Dhaba, Kothe Kesar Singh Wala, Bharu, Daula, Kothe Himmatpura, Bhunder, Lundewala , Smagh, Mannian Wala, Sekha, Khunnan Khurd, Madhir and Buttar Bakhuan, stand canceled with immediate effect, according to the order.

There is a high probability that the complainants’ candidature for the post of sarpanch of these gram panchayats was wrongly shown to have been withdrawn, indirectly leading to their inability to contest the elections, thus denying the democratic process, he added.

Any declaration of candidates elected unopposed in these towns is declared null and void, according to the order.

The poll tribunal also summoned seven officials, including an additional deputy commissioner and a sub-divisional magistrate, in the matter.

The state election commission had received complaints from political parties alleging “irregularities and illegalities” in the nomination processes conducted by the Giddarbaha block rectors.

It was alleged that certain nominations found correct during the scrutiny were unfairly rejected after symbols were illegally allotted.

The complainants also alleged that the chancellors rejected the nominations of several candidates by issuing revised lists even though they had already been accepted.

The Congress and the Shiromani Akali Dal had accused the Aam Aadmi Party government in Punjab of “misusing” the state machinery to reject nomination papers of opposition-backed candidates for the October 15 polls.