SAD asks SEC to reconsider decision not to countermand elections at four places
The Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) today asked the State Election Commission (SEC) to reconsider its decision not to countermand elections at four places where Akali candidates were not allowed to file their nomination papers even as it conveyed to the Commission that its decision to extend the date for filing nominations at one place - Manawala was too little and too late and would not serve any purpose. A SAD delegation including former minister Dr Daljit Cheema and party Office Secretary Charanjit Brar gave a memorandum in this regard to State Election Commissioner Jagdev Singh Sandhu and asked him to take stern action against officials who had discriminated against Akali workers. The memorandum also asked the Commissioner to direct the police authorities to cancel all false cases registered against Akali workers and register appropriate cases against all Congress leaders and workers who had indulged in violence. The memorandum stated that the SAD had made representations to the SEC earlier also pointing out specific instances of violence and tearing of nomination papers at Manawala, Makhu, Baghapurana and Ghanaur. It said despite the fact that photographic evidence was submitted to the Commission including pictures of vandalized vehicles and bullets being fired at them, the SEC did not deem it fit to countermand the elections at these four places. "This has shattered the faith of the common man in the entire election process", Dr Cheema said adding Congressmen would now be emboldened to resort to further goondaism. Dr Cheema said the decision to extend the nomination process by one day at Manawala would not serve any purpose. He said there was an atmosphere of fear in the area with the police registering cases against 90 unidentified persons. "Our candidates cannot come out and file their nominations in such a situation", he said adding Congressmen had even jammed the area in front of the SDMs office with their supporters to prevent Akali candidates from coming there to file their nominations. The memorandum also pointed out the failure of the Election Observers who had sent biased reports to the Commission and had not reported the grave irregularities committed by Congressmen. It said these Observers should be proceeded against for dereliction of duty. -PTC News
