Categories: India

Supreme Court Declines Interim Stay On Punjab Panchayat Elections

On Tuesday, the Supreme Court declined to issue an interim stay on the ongoing gram panchayat elections in Punjab, despite rising concerns over alleged irregularities.

Chief Justice of India DY Chandrachud, heading a bench, remarked that the court would not disrupt an election process once it is underway, emphasizing that such a move would create complete chaos.

The bench, however, agreed to examine a request for urgent listing of a petition challenging the elections, filed on the grounds of irregularities in the nomination process.

The Punjab and Haryana High Court had previously rejected multiple petitions accusing election officials of arbitrarily dismissing nomination papers for sarpanch candidates.

Following the High Court’s dismissal, polling for approximately 1.05 lakh candidates contesting the positions of panch and sarpanch began on Tuesday, with ballots cast through traditional ballot boxes.

Notably, 3,798 candidates elected unopposed to the post of sarpanch, while 48,861 candidates have already secured panch positions.

Meanwhile, officials have scheduled voting for 9,398 gram panchayats, cancelling elections in 28 panchayats and postponing one.

Amid the elections, the Punjab Panchayati Raj (Amendment) Bill, 2024, passed in September, has barred candidates from using political party symbols.

This legislation aims to keep the elections non-partisan and in line with local governance principles.

Despite the smooth conduct of polling, the election process has been marred by controversy.

The Congress party has vehemently criticized the alleged rejection of nomination papers.

Bajwa Urges Punjab Election Commission To Postpone Polls

Leader of Opposition Partap Singh Bajwa led a delegation on Monday to the Punjab State Election Commission, urging a three-week postponement of the elections.

Bajwa cited widespread irregularities, accusing officials of wrongfully rejecting opposition-backed candidates’ nominations, particularly due to issues related to No Objection Certificates (NOCs).

Additionally, the Congress has raised objections over the use of an outdated voters’ list from January 2023, instead of the updated list from 2024, used in the recent Lok Sabha elections. Party leaders have argued that this discrepancy could impact the fairness of the electoral process.

Despite these calls for postponement and the pending court review, the panchayat elections in Punjab are proceeding under strict security arrangements to ensure a peaceful voting process.

Also Read: RG Kar Case: Bihar Doctors Stand United In Daylong Strike Over Kolkata Protests

Gopal Krishna

Recent Posts

Flood Alert In PoK’s Muzaffarabad After Alleged Jhelum Water Release

A flood alert was issued across Muzaffarabad on Saturday after locals reported a sudden rise…

2 mins ago

Zelensky, Trump Hold Talks In Rome Ahead Of Pope’s Funeral; Discuss Ceasefire & Peace

US President Donald Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky met in Rome on Saturday ahead…

44 mins ago

Pahalgam Terror Attack: Ishan Educational Institutions Organises Protest Against Terrorism

Ishan Educational Institutions, Greater Noida, today organised a peaceful protest march condemning the recent terror…

2 hours ago

Complete Ban On Drone Flights Over Noida International Airport ‘Red Zone’

Authorities have imposed a complete ban on the operation of drones and UAVs over and…

2 hours ago

Pak Army Chief Munir Revives Two-Nation Theory Amid Tensions With India

Pakistan Army Chief General Syed Asim Munir reignited controversy on Saturday by invoking the two-nation…

2 hours ago

Pope Francis Funeral: President Murmu & PM Modi Pay Final Tributes

Pope Francis, the first Latin American pontiff, was laid to rest in a humble ceremony…

4 hours ago