Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) has demanded videography and a stop to harassment of opposition candidates on the last day of filing of nominations and scrutiny of papers for the Panchayat elections even as the party urged the State Election Commission to direct Returning Officers to deposit Chulha tax and other arrears, if any, in their own offices at the time of filing of nominations.
These submissions were made by a SAD delegation led by former Minister and senior leader Dr. Daljit Singh Cheema to State Election Commissioner Raj Kamal Chaudhary. The delegation also comprised Chief Spokesman Arshdeep Singh Kler and YAD President Sarbjit Singh Jhinjher.
Talking to media persons after meeting the Commissioner, Dr. Cheema said a number of complaints had been received from different parts of the State in which it had been alleged that election officers including BDPOs were sitting in offices and residences of ruling party Ministers, MLAs and other officer bearers instead of sitting in their own offices. He said Aam Aadmi Party leaders were misusing the officers to deny NOCs and Chulha Tax receipts to opposition leaders.
Dr Cheema said in Majithia IAS officer Sonam had been removed from the post of SDM and the charge had been given to a junior officer - Amanpreet Singh who was taking orders from AAP leaders. He said similarly in Kot Isse Khan in Dharmkot, MLA Davinderjit Singh Laddhi Dhos had forced the police to throw out all opposition candidates from the BDPO office.
The Delegation urged Election Commission to conduct videography in the office of Returning Officers on the last of nominations so that no opposition candidate was harassed. It also urged that Special Control rooms should be established in each District and at the State level and District officials should be sent immediate wherever any problem was reported.
Dr. Cheema further disclosed that the delegation had also urged that during scrutiny of papers on October 5, videography should be done and if Returning officers wanted to reject any nomination paper, they should take prior permission from the Election Commission. He also said the delegation had apprised the commission that they have given good directions but these had not been implemented at ground level.
Responding to a media query, he expressed utter surprise that even Finance Minister Harpal Cheema, who is part of the government, was unsure of conduct of free and fair elections. On a question about State BJP President Sunil Jakhar’s suggestion to PM and HM on changing the party’s perception about how it looked at Punjab, the SAD leader said he could not say anything as the news had quoted sources but if Mr. Jakhar had made such a suggestion it was good.
Asked about MP Kangana Ranaout’s recent outburst, he questioned the BJP high command as to why it was helpless in taking action against Kangana when the BJP claimed itself to be a highly disciplined party. He said that it was not possible for any MP to give such statements without the consent of the party.EOM