The Punjab and Haryana High Court on Wednesday dealt a significant blow to the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP)-led Punjab Government by ordering a stay on the electoral process for more than 250 panchayats due to serious allegations of irregularities during the nomination phase. The ruling, by the Single Bench of Justice Sandeep Moudgil, has thrown the upcoming gram panchayat elections, scheduled for October 15, into turmoil, raising concerns over the legitimacy and transparency of the electoral process.
The High Court’s decision came after numerous petitions filed by villagers alleging violations of democratic norms in the election proceedings. The Court ordered an immediate halt to the electoral process for the affected villages pending further review, with the next hearing set for October 14. The ruling came just days before the elections, leaving many residents and local officials in a state of uncertainty and disbelief.
Reports indicated that more than 250 petitions were submitted, with multiple petitioners representing the same villages. Hakam Singh, representing the petitioners, revealed that approximately 70 petitions were filed on behalf of the villagers, highlighting widespread discontent regarding the conduct of the elections. As the Court has yet to issue a detailed order, the full ramifications of this stay remain unclear.
Central to the court’s inquiries was the appointment of Punjab’s State Election Commissioner Raj Kamal Chaudhuri, a retired IAS officer. The High Court demanded clarification from the Punjab Government regarding the basis for his appointment, pressing whether the government intended to withdraw the election notification to facilitate a more transparent electoral process. The Court's stern remarks suggested that it might take further action if the government failed to provide satisfactory explanations.
Notably, the ensuing elections are not being contested under any political party symbols; instead, special symbols have been designated for candidates competing for the positions of sarpanch and panch. Specifically, 32 free symbols have been allocated for district council and block committee elections, with an additional 70 symbols for panchayat members. This unique arrangement has contributed to further confusion and apprehension among the electorate.
The elections for 13,237 gram panchayats in Punjab, the first in over five years, were prompted by an earlier inquiry from the High Court regarding the government’s plans for local elections. The terms of many existing panchayats had expired back in January, and the State Government had previously assured the Court that timely elections would be conducted.
While the High Court has only stayed the elections for the villages linked to the petitions, this ruling posed significant challenges for the AAP Government. It raised critical questions about the overall integrity of the electoral process in Punjab. The Government has been directed to respond to the Court's inquiries by the next hearing, and all eyes are now on how this situation will evolve in the lead-up to the elections.
Opposition welcomes HC Stay: AAP Govt in Hot Water
The High Court’s decision has elicited strong reactions from the opposition parties with both the Congress and Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) seizing upon the ruling as a critical moment to criticize the Government's handling of the electoral process and call for accountability.
Leader of the Opposition in Vidhan Sabha and senior Congress leader Partap Singh Bajwa praised the High Court's intervention as a necessary step to protect democracy in Punjab. He emphasized the need for the court to take suo moto cognizance of the situation, noting that many marginalized individuals were unable to access the legal system due to financial constraints.
“This stay is a significant victory for justice, but we must not forget that countless individuals have been unjustly deprived of their right to participate in these elections,” Bajwa stated. He accused the AAP government of abusing its power to suppress opposition candidates and manipulate election outcomes, calling the current electoral process a “mockery” of democracy.
SAD president Sukhbir Singh Badal, welcoming the High Court's decision, described it as a “blot on the face of the AAP government”. He emphasized that the ruling is indicative of the misuse of government machinery to undermine grassroots democracy. “This is just the beginning. There are thousands of people whose nominations were canceled unjustly,” Badal tweeted, urging those affected to approach the High Court for redress.
3,798 Sarpanches, 48,861 Panches Declared Unopposed
Punjab State Election Commission on Wednesday reported a substantial withdrawal of nominations by candidates. As of October 7, 2024, a total of 20,147 candidates have withdrawn their nominations for the position of Sarpanches, while 31,381 candidates have done so for Panches. An official spokesperson for the commission revealed that following these withdrawals, the total number of nominations for Sarpanches stands at 25,588, and for Panches, at 80,598. Additionally, the Commission noted a significant number of unopposed candidates, with 3,798 Sarpanches and 48,861 Panches declared unopposed.
