All set for SGPC polls today

“The extra precautions have been taken by deputing more police force for certain pockets following some intelligence inputs that the peace might be disturbed,” he said adding that the unauthorized outsiders would not be allowed to move in SGPC constituencies and any one found violating the norms would be booked and arrested.

In Amritsar alone there are 591 polling stations and voting would be managed by 651 presiding officers with the help of 2,216 other polling staff members. The ruling SAD (B) candidates would be facing the Panthic Morcha,a conglomerate of various splintered Akali factions,in the elections. Though government has shown its commitment to free and fair elections,various Morcha leaders have alleged that they had the apprehensions that the polling process would be hampered by the ruling party political leaders.

In last SGPC elections in 2004,the ruling party had swept the polls with the Morcha leaders managing to win around 30 seats. It is to be seen if the alliance would be able to improve their tally this time. The campaign for the polls that ended on Thursday evening had seen the ruling leaders aggressively canvassing for their candidates. At many seats the Morcha leaders had even withdrawn their candidates in favour of ruling party candidates.

With an annual budget of more than Rs 500 crore,the SGPC,having its headquarters inside the Golden Temple complex,manages around 600 large (based on revenue) and 1,200 small gurdwaras,apart from various educational institutions including some medical and engineering colleges and recently set up Sri Guru Granth Sahib University. The primary source of income is Golak (offering boxes) money from the Gurdwaras and donations.

The major issues that cropped up during electioneering included ‘Patitpuna’ (apostasy),political interference into the religious institutions,development,education and even corruption by those who are at the helms of affairs in the SGPC.

The main Opposition party in Punjab,Congress,is not taking part in the elections,citing its secular credentials. The main leaders testing the waters in on Sunday would include cabinet minister Sewa Singh Sekhwan,former SGPC general secretary Bibi Kiranjot Kaur ) and Pardeep Walia.