Polls in 19 Panchayats defered in Punjab for violations

Chandigarh, May 20 (UNI) The Punjab State Election Commission today postponed the elections to nineteen Gram Panchayats in five districts, which were scheduled to be held on May 26.

The Commission also ordered the removal of six election officers.

Disclosing this here today a spokesman of the Election Commission said that the polls to Gram Panchayat Talwara in Ludhiana district had been countermanded and fresh date for the poll would be notified separately. Besides the elections to Gram Panchayats, Daulatpura and Sularpur in Jalandhar district had also been postponed.

In Tarn Taran district, the polls to 13 Gram Panchayats- Baikan, Baikan Khurd, Tatle, Sugga, Bua Patti, Abadi Bhagwanpur, Balher, Blehar Khurd, Saddra, Kale, Marri Kamboke, Marri Udoke and Darajke had been postponed. In Sangrur district the polls in Mohala and Jhundan and Saidoke in Moga district had been postponed.

The Commission in the case of Gram Panchayat of Talwara in Ludhiana district has ordered the removal of Amarjit Singh, the Returning Officer and directed the Additional District Electoral Officer of Ludhiana to send a panel of three names for the selection of the replacement. Amarjit Singh has been suspended for dereliction of election duty and disciplinary action initiated against him.

The Commission has also taken to task Gurlavleen Singh, Sub Divisional Magistrate, Jagraon as he had failed to discharge his duties and shown a careless and negligent attitude even when the complaint against Amarjit Singh was referred to him by the State Election Commission.

The Commission on the report of the Election Observer regarding Gram Panchayat Mohaala in Sangrur, has removed both the Returning Officer and Assistant Returning Officer. The District Electoral Officer has been directed to lodge a FIR to fix responsibility in the matter alleged tampering of electoral records. Disciplinary action would also be taken against both the poll officials.

The Commission has also removed the Returning Officer in Sangrur district and another one in Moga district.

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