Former Punjab Health Minister and senior Congress leader Balbir Singh Sidhu has termed the alleged irregularities during the Mohali Municipal Corporation elections, particularly during vote counting, as a serious blow to democracy. He has demanded that the State Election Commission cancel and re-conduct polling at Polling Booth No. 93 in Ward 23, Booth No. 7 in Ward 2, and Booth No. 17 in Ward 4.
Speaking to the media, Sidhu alleged that serious discrepancies were observed during polling and counting at these booths. He stated that several ballot papers recovered from the ballot boxes still had their counterfoils (receipt portions) attached, which is a violation of election procedures and raises strong suspicions of bogus voting.
He further pointed out that many of these counterfoils lacked voters’ signatures or thumb impressions. According to Sidhu, these facts raise serious concerns about the transparency of the electoral process and warrant an impartial investigation.
Sidhu claimed that, except for the candidate of the Aam Aadmi Party, all other candidates had submitted written objections to the Returning Officer, demanding that the counting process be halted and the results not be declared. Despite these objections, the counting continued, and officials allegedly ordered that the receipt portions be detached from the ballot papers before counting, raising further questions about the fairness of the process.
He urged the State Election Commission to cancel the elections at the concerned booths and conduct fresh polling. He also demanded a high-level inquiry into the entire matter and sought an investigation into why the Returning Officer allowed the counting process and declaration of results to continue despite being informed of the alleged irregularities.
Sidhu also alleged that opposition candidates faced difficulties from the very beginning of the election process. He claimed that obstacles were created during the filing of nominations, delays occurred in issuing no-objection certificates, and several nomination papers were rejected without valid reasons.
He stated that the Punjab Government’s claims of conducting free and fair elections stand exposed in light of these developments. According to him, bogus voting and administrative interference at several places influenced the election outcomes and undermined democratic values.
Sidhu emphasized that the Election Commission must take immediate and strict action to maintain public confidence in the electoral system, ensure that the truth comes to light, and prevent such incidents from recurring in the future.
Among those present on the occasion were Harvinder Singh Dhariwal (Ward No. 2 candidate, Phase-6), Kuldeep Chand (Sector 66), Raghbir Singh (Phase-1), former councillor Ashok Kondal, Lakhbir Singh, Karamjit Singh Sidhu, and Satvinder Singh Grewal.