Taking serious note of transfer of Shahkot SDM -cum- RO and SHO's of Shahkot and Mehatpur after the declaration of bypoll by the Election Commission of India,the Shiromani Akali Dal on Friday urged ECI to cancel these transfers immediately and take serious action against the State Government for violation of Model Code of Conduct.
SAD Spokesman and former Education Minister, Daljit Singh Cheema filed a written complaint in this regard with the Election Commission of India and Chief Electoral Officer, Punjab on Friday.
In a statement Cheema expressed surprise at these malafide acts of the Congress led State Government. He said ECI made the announcement on April 26 afternoon for holding bye- poll to the Shahkot Assembly Constituency and also imposed Model Code of Conduct in the whole Jalandhar district.
But ignoring the directions of the ECI, the state government issued transfer orders of Varinderpal Singh, SDM Shahkot and appointed Darbara Singh in his place. "The SDM Shahkot also happens to be the returning officer of Shahkot Assembly Constituency," said Cheema.
The SAD leader said that in addition to this both the SHO's of Shahkot and Mehatpur police stations which are part of the Shahkot Assembly Constituency were also replaced in the evening. New SHO's have joined at both these places at night.
Cheema lamented that all these actions of the state government are highly malafide and aimed at misusing these officials during election process. It has sent a wrong signal for the voters and if proper and strict action is not taken in time then free and fare election is not possible.