Punjab EC postpones polls to 18 Panchayats

Chandigarh May 23 (UNI) The Punjab State Election Commission today postponed the general elections to eighteen Gram Panchayats in six districts, which were scheduled to be held on 26th May in the state.

Besides this, five election officers have been removed from poll duty.

Disclosing this here today a spokesman of the Commission said that the polls to eighteen Gram Panchayats--- Karimpur, Pallian Kalan, Saloh, Pallian Khurd, Kot Ranjha, Ram Rai Pur, Bairsian, Gorakhpur, Chhokran, Punnu Majara, Gohlron and Begumpur, all in district Nawanshahr, Harlalpura in Mohali district, Mangewal and Slempur Dhaha in district Ludhiana, Lahiri Gujran in district Gurdaspur, Rampura in district Ferozpur and Jamsher Khas in district Jalandhar.

Fresh election schedule would be communicated separately, the spokesman added.

The Commission also ordered the removal of Returning Officer Parkash Ram in Nawanshahar district as he had acted in an extremely irresponsible manner and his conduct was prime facie malafide.

The Returning Officer has been placed under suspension immediately and disciplinary action would be initiated against him, the spokesman stated.

The Commission on the recommendations of the District Electoral Officer, Gurdaspur has suspended the Returning Officer Zone No 2 of Block Pathankot, Rattan Anmol as his conduct had derailed the electoral process to Gram Panchayat Lahri Gujran and vitiated the election proceedings.

The Commission while considering the report of the District Electoral Officer, Ludhiana, found that the election process has been vitiated by the questionable conduct of Returning OfficerJeet Singh block and the Assistant Returning Officer Ramandeep Singh.

Accordingly the election to Gram Panchayat Mangewal had been countermanded. The Commission has directed the District Electoral Officer to initiate disciplinary action against both the Returning Officers.

In another case the Commission has found that election process has been vitiated as per the report of the Additional District Electoral Officer Ferozpur and the poll to Gram Panchayat Rampura in district Ferozpur has been countermanded. The Commission has directed the District Electoral Officer to initiate disciplinary action against the concerned Returning Officer.

UNI HS BP1856