Punjab Panchayat Elections Stayed by High Court
The Punjab and Haryana High Court has stayed the panchayat elections in over 200 villages following complaints of irregularities in the nomination process. The court received approximately 250 petitions alleging various issues, including denial of fundamental rights, violence, and manipulation of nominations.
Leader of Opposition in Punjab Assembly, Pratap Singh Bajwa, welcomed the court's decision, stating that the Aam Aadmi Party-led government had misused its power to suppress voters. He highlighted instances of violence and intimidation during the election process, including the tragic death of a Congress worker in Amritsar.
Advocate Kuljinder Singh, representing the petitioners, claimed that the government employed various tactics to prevent people from filing nominations, including tearing papers, forging signatures, and using force. He described the situation as a "murder of democracy" and expressed hope that the court would take appropriate action.
The next hearing in the case is scheduled for October 14th. The Punjab State Election Commission had initially announced the elections for October 15th, but they have been postponed indefinitely due to the ongoing legal challenges.
This development has sparked concerns about the fairness and transparency of the panchayat elections in Punjab. The court's decision to stay the process is a significant step towards ensuring that the elections are conducted in a free and fair manner.