Polls on Dec 2: Bogus votes scam surfaces in Chief Khalsa Diwan

› Ludhiana committee is responsible for the scam where fake votes have been made in the name of four dead CKD members.

NARINDERJIT SINGH KHURANA, Chief Khalsa Diwan secretary

Ahead of its general elections slated for December 2, socio-religious organisation Chief Khalsa Diwan (CKD) has been hit by a scam of bogus voters.

It has been found that four fake votes were made in the names of CKD members, who have reportedly passed away.

A senior member of CKD — key office-bearer of the local committee of the organisation in Ludhiana district — is being held responsible for the act as all these members belonged to Ludhiana, sources said.

SCAM UNEARTHED BY RIVAL GROUP

The matter has been brought to the fore by Sarabjit Singh-led group, which is contesting the elections. The person, who allegedly played a role in the act, is a candidate from the rival group led by Bhag Singh Ankhi and Rajmohinder Singh Majitha. Confirming the development, CKD secretary Narinderjit Singh Khurana said bogus votes were made by changing photographs of the members on forms.

RECORDS PROVIDED TO RETURNING OFFICERS

“Local Ludhiana committee and its office-bearers are responsible for the scam, as we were not aware of the deaths of those four members. We have asked the local committee to reply in this regard. We have provided the entire record to the three returning officers appointed to conduct the elections. They are yet to verify the allegations and take action,” Khurana said.

The Sarabjit Singh-led group also raised objection over the membership of one Harneet Singh, son of Nirmal Singh, who is contesting the elections for the post of president from the group of Ankhi and Majitha.

On this, Khurana said Harneet has clarified that he had submitted the membership form in 2013.

‘CLAIM TO BE CROSS-CHECKED’

“The claim will be crosschecked by the returning officer,” he added. Principal Baljinder Singh (retd), Iqbal Singh Lalpura and Davinder Singh Dhillon are the returning officers. They will meet in this regard on Monday.