Punjab HC Clears Panchayat Elections Amidst Irregularity Claims

O.P. Jindal Global University

The Punjab High Court has recently declined to stay the Panchayat elections scheduled across the state, although it did pause the election process in certain villages due to complaints from candidates regarding nomination issues.

The court has received around 250 petitions alleging irregularities in the election process. The next hearing is set for October 14.

The Punjab State Election Commission announced that the Gram Panchayat elections will take place on October 15, with nominations opening on September 27. The elections are set to fill 13,237 ‘Sarpanch’ and 83,437 ‘Panch’ positions.

On September 29, Partap Singh Bajwa, Leader of the Opposition in the Punjab Assembly and a Congress leader, criticized the Aam Aadmi Party for the challenges faced by candidates during the nomination process.

He accused government officials of negligence, which he claimed led to confusion about reservations and other nomination-related issues.

Bajwa stated, “The Chief Minister of Punjab assured on the floor of the house that the Panchayat elections would be conducted fairly. However, we informed the State Election Commissioner that for the past two days, no Panchayat Secretary, BDPO, or Tehsildar was present in their offices.”

Tensions also erupted between AAP and Congress candidates in Zira town, Ferozepur district, on October 2.

According to Punjab Police, stone pelting occurred between the two groups as they arrived to file their nominations.

Ferozepur SSP Somya Mishra reported that the police intervened promptly and are proceeding with legal action, including filing an FIR. The situation is currently under control.