Supreme Court Upholds Punjab Gram Panchayat Elections Amid Controversy
New Delhi, October 15: In a significant ruling, the Supreme Court of India has decided not to intervene in the ongoing gram panchayat elections in Punjab, dismissing calls for a stay on the electoral process. Chief Justice D.Y. Chandrachud, leading the bench, emphasized that halting the elections at this stage would lead to “complete chaos,” reinforcing the importance of maintaining the democratic process once it has commenced.
The court’s decision comes in the wake of numerous petitions filed in the Punjab and Haryana High Court, alleging that the rejection of nomination papers for sarpanch positions was conducted in an “arbitrary and illegal manner.” Despite these claims, the High Court dismissed the petitions, allowing the elections to proceed as planned.
As of today, polling is underway for approximately 1.05 lakh candidates vying for the roles of panch and sarpanch across Punjab. Interestingly, 3,798 candidates have already been elected unopposed as sarpanches, while 48,861 have secured positions as panchs. However, the elections have not been without their hiccups; voting in 28 gram panchayats has been canceled, and one has been put on hold, leaving 9,398 panchayats still in contention.
In a notable change from previous elections, candidates are prohibited from using political party symbols, a measure introduced by the Punjab Panchayati Raj (Amendment) Bill, 2024, which was passed by the state’s Legislative Assembly last month. This move aims to ensure that the elections are more focused on local issues rather than party politics.
Despite the elections being in full swing, the Congress party has raised concerns over alleged irregularities in the nomination process. A delegation led by Leader of Opposition Partap Singh Bajwa met with the Punjab State Election Commissioner on Monday, requesting a three-week postponement of the elections. Bajwa highlighted what he described as “massive irregularities,” claiming that many candidates, particularly those backed by the opposition, faced wrongful rejections of their nominations.
Additionally, the Congress party has criticized the decision to use the voters’ list from January 1, 2023, instead of the more current list from January 1, 2024, which had been utilized in the recent Lok Sabha elections. This has raised questions about the fairness and transparency of the electoral process.
As the elections unfold, tight security measures are in place to ensure a smooth voting experience, despite the backdrop of controversy and calls for delay. The Supreme Court’s refusal to stay the elections underscores a commitment to uphold the democratic process, even amidst challenges and disputes.
As Punjab embarks on this crucial electoral journey, all eyes will be on the outcome and the implications it may have for local governance in the state. Stay tuned for more updates as the situation develops!
