The final day for filing nominations for the upcoming panchayat elections in Punjab turned into a scene of chaos and controversy, culminating in tensions, minor skirmishes, and violent incidents across various districts. As the deadline approached at 3 pm on Friday, long queues outside nomination centers reflected the urgency of candidates eager to secure their place in the electoral race, but not without significant disruption.
As crowds swelled outside nomination centers, the Punjab State Election Commission intervened, directing the Returning Officers to accept nominations from individuals still standing in line. The directive came following a delegation of Shiromani Akali Dal, led by its senior leader Daljit Singh Cheema, submitted a memorandum to the State Election Commissioner Raj Kamal Chaudhuri raising concerns over the increasing number of incidents related to nominations, including assaults and tampering with nomination papers.
To substantiate his claims, Cheema also presented videos and photographs documenting various incidents, insisting on an immediate high-level investigation into the reported violence and misconduct. He expressed apprehension that further disruptions might occur, urging for the process to be video-recorded to ensure transparency.
Violence Erupts at Nomination Centers
Earlier in the day, several reports emerged of scuffles, police lathicharge, and the tearing of nomination papers. Police had deployed substantial resources to manage the situation, but the tension escalated in certain areas. In Moga, a stampede erupted near a nomination center in Landheke village after gunfire was reported, leading to panic and injuries among the crowd. The altercation stemmed from rivalry between candidates of the ruling party, exacerbated by miscreants who snatched and destroyed nomination papers.
In Jalalabad, police resorted to baton charges outside a government college to disperse the crowd after a group of individuals attempted to disrupt the filing process. Reports indicated that several nomination files belonging to candidates from different villages were torn apart by troublemakers, further igniting tensions in the area. Local BJP district president Sukhwinder Singh Kaka Kamboj condemned the incident, describing it as a murder of democracy.
Judicial Oversight Ensures Fairness in the Process
Punjab and Haryana High Court, had earlier stepped in, emphasizing the need for transparency in the nomination process. In a ruling concerning the Guniya panchayat in Gurdaspur, the High Court had mandated that nominations, scrutiny, and elections be recorded on video. The petition, filed by candidate Gurcharanjit Kaur, highlighted the necessity for a clear nomination process amidst the mounting concerns about fairness in the elections.
The judicial intervention came in the wake of a staggering 170 petitions related to the panchayat polls, most pertaining to issues like reservation and local tax regulations. The High Court had ordered the Punjab State Election Commission to address the complaints, ultimately dismissing the petitions and reaffirming that elections would proceed as scheduled.
13,937 Gram Panchayats to go to Polls on Oct 15
Punjab State Election Commission had announced the panchayat election schedule on September 25, outlining the nomination period from September 27 to October 4. There are a total of 13,937 gram panchayats in Punjab, with 19,110 polling booths and over 13 million registered voters. As of September 30, 784 candidates had filed for the position of sarpanch, while 1,446 candidates sought election as panch.
The nomination papers received will be scrutinized on Saturday (October 5), with the candidates given time till October 7 to withdraw their papers, following which the polling will be held on October 15, and counting of votes on the same day after completing of voting.
Political Parties Demand Accountability and Reform
Throughout the tumultuous day, the Shiromani Akali Dal and other political entities criticized the state government, accusing it of failing to maintain order during the electoral process. Cheema utilized social media platforms to share evidence of violence and irregularities, further fueling the discourse on the integrity of the elections.
The call for accountability was echoed by leaders across party lines, demanding stringent actions against those responsible for the disturbances. The collective sentiment among the opposition parties underscored a deep-rooted concern regarding the governance and oversight of local elections, with many calling for significant reforms to ensure a free and fair electoral environment.
Warring visits Zira to support injured candidates after violent attack
Zira: Punjab Congress president and Ludhiana MP Amarinder Singh Raja Warring on Friday visited Zira to meet with former MLA Kulbir Singh Zira and Congress workers injured in a violent attack allegedly orchestrated by AAP supporters. The attack, which included gunfire and stone pelting, targeted aspiring Panchayat election candidates and party workers, aiming to silence opposition voices.
During his visit, Warring expressed unwavering solidarity with the injured, emphasizing, “I will not let the voices of justice be silenced. The Congress party will be with you, through thick and thin, to ensure that the Panchayat elections are conducted in a free and fair manner. Democracy will not be murdered under our watch.” His presence provided strength to those affected by what he termed the AAP’s desperate tactics to maintain power.
Warring also engaged with the District Commissioner and police, demanding immediate justice for the injured candidates. He stated that any delay in accepting nominations related to the injured, even beyond the due date, would signify a betrayal of democratic values. “If the nomination of those injured in this attack is not accepted, it will be nothing less than the death of democracy,” he asserted.
Warring also criticized the Aam Aadmi Party and Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann for their failure to maintain peace during the election process, saying, “The Panchayat elections are the bedrock of our democracy, and it is shameful that AAP has resorted to such violent tactics.”
SAD appeals to SEC for extension of nomination period in violence-hit areas, Denied
Chandigarh: SAD on Friday evening formally appealed to the State Election Commission (SEC) to extend the nomination filing period for the upcoming Panchayat polls, particularly in areas affected by violence and intimidation against opposition candidates. The call for an extension follows widespread allegations of harassment and threats against candidates associated with opposition parties, primarily from AAP supporters. However, the SEC denied the same citing the election process should go as per schedule, but issued directions to the officers concerned to accept the papers of all those standing in the queue.
A delegation led by former Akali Minister Daljit Singh Cheema and SAD’s legal cell head Arshdeep Singh Kler met with the State Election Commissioner Raj Kamal Chaudhari, where they voiced strong opposition to the violence directed at opposition candidates and urged for a thorough investigation into the AAP's alleged manipulation of the electoral process. “Urgent steps are needed or else it will not be possible to conduct free and fair elections to the panchayats in Punjab,” the delegation stressed.
Cheema asserted that civil and police officials had not only neglected their duties but may have also colluded with AAP leaders to undermine democracy. He urged the SEC to direct Returning Officers to allow additional time for candidates to submit their nominations, emphasizing the need for a transparent election process. SAD delegation presented videographic evidence documenting instances of violence and intimidation faced by opposition candidates, including reports of gunfire and physical assaults.
Cheema highlighted specific incidents, such as the obstruction faced by opposition candidates in Moga, where AAP supporters allegedly resorted to violence to thwart the nomination process. He also condemned the actions of local authorities, which he claimed facilitated the intimidation of opposition candidates while favoring those affiliated with AAP.
SAD has called for strict action against those responsible, including civil and police officials, to restore public faith in the electoral system as Punjab approaches the Panchayat elections.
