Chandigarh May 24:The State Election Commission, Punjab today postponed the general elections to 57 Gram Panchayats in twelve districts, which were scheduled to be held on 26th May in the state. Besides this, three election officers have been removed.
Disclosing this here today a spokesman of the State Election Commission, Punjab said that exercising the powers vested with the State Election Commission under Article 243K and 243N of the Constitution of India, the polls to fifty-seven Gram Panchayats namely Gram Panchayat Mahiuldinpur and Gram Panchayat Khunda in district Gurdaspur, Gram Panchayat Bhanra. Gram Panchayat Khalaspur, Gram Panchayat Bhunarheri and Gram Panchayat Bhanri in district Patiala, Gram Panchayats Pamal, Gram Panchayat Pamali and Gram Panchayat Kanganwal in district Ludhiana, Gram Panchayat Kila Jeewan Singh Wala, Gram Panchayat Chattiwind, Gram Panchayat Cluster No.3 Block Jandiala Guru and Gram Panchayat Mehta Chowk in district Amritsar, Gram Panchayat Chakk Kharak Singh Wala, Gram Panchayat Doomwali, Gram Panchayat Talab Nehar Basti No.(1,4,5) and Talab Nehar Basti (2,3) in district Bathinda, Gram Panchayat Dheena in district Jalandhar, Gram Panchayat Ajnali and Gram Panchayat Naulakha in district Fathegarh Sahib, Gram Panchayat Kakrali in district SAS Nagar, Gram Panchayat Lohat in district Nawan Shahr, Gram Panchayats Talwandi Nepala, Kamalgarh, Mansoorwala, Achhewala, Nathu Chiasi, Chak Jameet Singh Wala, Jhandu, Chawarian wali, Megha Rai Uttar, Khawaja Khara, Lakhewala, Shateer wala, Muradwala Boomgarh, Dhani Harcharn Singh Randhawa, Sabuanna, Bandiwala, Shiwana, Ramsukhpura, Tillaan wali, Kheeu wali Dhabh, Baj Singh, Walla Kalan, Basti Sohan, Basti Saon Singh, Killi, Khundar Hithar and Bharrana in district Ferozpur, Gram Panchayats Kotli Saru Khan, Jatti Umra, Sangar Kot, Nagoke, Sanger Kalan, Chak Kare Khan and Mandala in district Tarn Tarn and Gram Panchayat Badhni Kalan rural Distt. Moga have postponed by the Commission and fresh election schedule would be communicated separately.
He added that Additional District Electoral Officer, Gurdaspur had submitted to the Commission that the Returning Officer Jarnail Singh Secretary, Market Committee had rejected the nomination papers of the complainant with malafide intention. The poll process of Gram Panchayat Khunda Block Dhariwal was countermanded and has been vitiated by the malafide, irresponsible and illegal acts of Returning Officer. He would be charge sheeted for major penalty. Disciplinary action for imposition of major penalty would be initiated against the Returning Officer.
In another case the Commission has concluded that serious irregularities were committed by Sh. Gurbax Singh, Returning Officer, Khadoor Sahib Group-IV and could not be rectified at this stage. The poll process has been vitiated. Accordingly, general elections to seven Gram Panchayats in district Tarn Tarn were countermanded. Returning Officer has acted in irresponsible, malafide and wrong manner, therefore he would be immediately suspended and charge sheeted for major penalty.
He said that on the report of Election Observer the Commission has concluded that the affidavits were removed from the nomination files as the Returning Officer Sh. Mujnhial Singh Agriculture Development Officer had connived with the one party of Village Mahiuldinpur in district Gurdaspur and shrewdly hatched the conspiracy. The election to Village Mahiuldinpur was countermanded. Returning Officer would be immediately suspended and charge sheeted for major penalty. Appropriate action under the election Act/IPC against the Returning Officer would be taken by the Deputy Commkissioner, Gurdaspur.