Punjab EC shifts DSP, SHO for Panchayat poll violations

Chandigarh, May 21 (UNI) The Punjab State Election Commission today ordered the shifting of DSP Bagha Purana and Station House Officer (SH) of Samalsar in Moga district for their alleged interference in the ongoing poll process in the Gram Pachayat elections.

The Commission also postponed the general elections to eight Gram Panchayats in five districts, which were scheduled to be held on May 26. Besides two election officers have been removed.

Announcing this here today a spokesman of the State Election Commission said the Commission has ordered the DIG Ferozpur to shift Joginder Singh, DSP, Bagha Purana and Gurpiar Singh, SHO, Samalsar to the stations where they could not interfere in the smooth conduct of elections. The Commission had received reports of their partisan attitude in the poll process.

'' The Commission feels that the incumbency of these officials at their respective posts in the face of grave resentment of voters was not conducive to a free and fair conduct of elections in the areas under their jurisdiction'', the spokesman added while issuing directions to the DIG of Ferozpur.

The polls to eight Gram Panchayats-- Bhattian, Mand Jodhwal, Ranjitgarh, Dera Baba Jaimal Singh, Karamgarh, Bilaspur, Burj Hamira and Deena Sahib had been postponed and fresh election schedule would be communicated separately.

The Commission has directed the District Electoral Officer-cum-Deputy Commissioner, Amritsar to remove Harpal Singh, Returning Officer of Baba Bakala who had acted in a wrongful and negligent manner and thus eroded the sanctity of the election process. It was alleged that he had rejected the nomination papers of Gram Panchayat, Dera Baba Jaimal Singh in district Amritsar without any substantial reason.

The Commission has also ordered the District Electoral Officer-cum-Deputy Commissioner, Moga to appoint new Returning Officer in block Nihal Singh Wala immediately and initiate disciplinary action for imposition of major penalty against the erring Returning Officer who had committed the gross irregularity by rejecting the nomination papers of 12 candidates on frivolous ground.

UNI HS SB HT1940