‘Commission must rethink its refusal to countermand polls’

Chandigarh The Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) on Friday asked the state election commission (SEC) to reconsider its decision not to countermand elections at four places where Akali candidates were not allowed to file their nomination papers. The party also conveyed to the commission that its decision to extend the date for filing nominations at one place was too little an action and would not serve any purpose.

A SAD delegation, including party spokesman Daljit Singh Cheema and party office secretary Charanjit Singh Brar, gave a memorandum to state election commissioner Jagdev Singh Sandhu, seeking action against officials who had discriminated against Akali workers.

The memorandum also asked the commissioner to direct police authorities to cancel all false cases registered against Akali workers and register appropriate cases against Congress leaders and workers who indulged in violence.

The memorandum stated that the SAD had made representations to the SEC in the past pointing out instances of violence and tearing of nomination papers at Manawala, Makhu, Baghapurana and Ghanaur, giving evidence with it.

Akali leaders said despite evidence submitted to the commission the state commission had not countermanded the elections.

“This has shattered the faith of the common man in the entire election process,” Cheema said, adding Congressmen would now be emboldened to resort to more ‘goondaism’.

He said the decision to extend the nomination process by one day at Manawala would not serve any purpose.

He said there was an atmosphere of fear in the area with the police registering cases against 90 unidentified persons.

“Our candidates cannot come out and file their nominations in such a situation,” he said, adding that Congressmen had even blocked the area in front of the local SDM’S office with their supporters to prevent Akali candidates from filing nomination papers.