Beas segment women want polls before Feb 27

Chandigarh, Feb 13: Many women sarpanches and panches of the Beas assembly constituency have urged the Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) to hold polls in this sensitive segment before the declaration of results on February 27 in 116 of the 117 assembly constituencies in Punjab.

''We are of the strong opinion that the election of the Beas assembly segment should not be kept apart from the rest of the state, as the atmosphere in the constituency is condusive to holding a free and fair poll'', a representation presented to the state Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) Sunderam Krishan here today said.

A similar representation was made to the CEO by male panchayat members of the constituency yesterday.

Polling to the Beas segment was postponed to March 11 by the Election Commission (EC) on grounds that the ''atmosphere in the constituency was condusive to holding of a free and fair poll''.

The assessment of the EC followed a clash between Congress and SAD workers on January 29, in which an Akali activist was killed.

The women delegation wanted that the poll in Beas should be held on February 24 alongwith the Valthoa segment. The poll in Valtoha was postponed following the death of a CPI candidate.

The representation claimed that the situation in Beas was peaceful and calm and condusive for holding polls. The representation said that the results in the rest of the state to be declared on February 27 could have a bearing in Beas.

The delegation also pointed out that Board examinations are scheduled to begin on March one and the campaign by political parties and candidates would disturb the ''condusive atmosphere needed by students to pursue their studies''. The delegation also stated that prominent leaders of other political parties would make a beeline to Beas after polls in the rest of the state.

The representation also pointed out that a large number of college students were associated with the election campaign in Beas and their annual examinations are scheduled in April. The delegation also claimed that development work in the segment was suffering due to the model code of conduct.

The CEO after accepting the representation promised to forward it to the CEC with his comments.

UNI