SAD: Hold re-election where oppn nominees’ papers were rejected

CHANDIGARH: The Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) on Sunday sought the cancellation and re-election of municipal elections in all wards, where nomination papers of opposition candidates had been rejected.

It also called for deployment of paramilitary forces to ensure free and fair elections, to be held on February 14.

Raising these demands at a press conference, former state cabinet minister Daljit Singh Cheema said nomination papers of opposition party candidates had been rejected in Zira, where all 17 Congress candidates had been elected unopposed.

“Congressmen have also been declared elected unopposed in eight of 15 seats in Guru Har Sahai; seven of 11 in Maluka, five out of 13 in Mehraj; four out of 13 in Bhai Roopa; six seats in Mandi Gobindgarh and eight seats in Ferozepur,” he said, adding that nomination papers of SAD candidates had been rejected at seven seats in Gidderbaha.

He claimed, “Nomination papers have been rejected even after the end of the scrutiny period at the instance of Congress legislators. These municipal elections have become one

It is a sad day for democracy that a constitutional authority like the State Election Commission has abrogated its responsibility DALJIT SINGH CHEEMA , SAD leader

in which the state is contesting against people.”

Stating that the SAD was not left with any choice except to approach courts, as well as Punjab governor VP Singh Badnore, Cheema alleged, “It is a sad day for democracy that a constitutional authority like the State Election Commission (SEC) has abrogated its responsibility.”

Cheema claimed there was video evidence of Congress councillors attacking residences of Akali candidates, vandalising vehicles and even firing at them. “The SEC, however, has refused to take note,” he claimed, adding that the SEC must allow videography inside polling stations to check malpractices.