Centre initiated SGPC poll process, HC put stay on electoral roll preparation: Lok Sabha informed
MHA informed Congress Mp Sukhjinder Randhawa that government has appointed a chief commissioner who issued notifications to the state governments of Punjab and Himachal Pradesh as well as the administrator of the Union Territory of Chandigarh and Commissioner, Gurdwara Elections
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The Centre has started the process to conduct elections for the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC), but the Punjab and Haryana High Court has issued a stay order on the preparation of electoral rolls. (Source: File)The Centre had initiated the process to conduct the elections to the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC), but the Punjab and Haryana High Court has ordered a stay on the preparation of electoral rolls, the Lok Sabha was informed Tuesday.
“The Government has commenced the election process. This was done after notification of Rules for appointment of Chief Commissioner Gurdwara Elections, and resolution in related matters in several court cases filed by different petitioners,” Union Minister of State for Home Affairs Nityanand Rai informed in response to a written question by Gurdaspur MP Sukhjinder Randhawa.
“In the meanwhile, several cases have been filed in the High Court of Punjab and Haryana challenging the preparation of electoral rolls and other related issues. The High Court has ordered a stay in the matter,” the minister said.
Randhawa had asked whether the government has fixed any timeline for the conduct of elections to the SGPC in Punjab and if so, the details thereof, including the date of notification; the designated authority responsible for conducting the elections and the proposed schedule for completion of the electoral process.
He had also asked whether any date has been fixed and the reasons for the inordinate delay in holding SGPC elections, particularly in light of the fact that the last such elections were held in 2011.
He further asked whether the Government proposes any legislative or administrative measures to ensure regular and timely elections to the SGPC, in keeping with democratic principles and the religious rights of the Sikh community.
The MoS, in his reply, said that the Sikh Gurdwaras Board Election Rules, 1959, provides that the Chief Commissioner, Gurdwara Elections shall by notification fix the date or dates for the various stages of elections to the SGPC Board, including the date on which polling shall be held.
“The Gurdwara Election Commission headed by Chief Commissioner Gurdwara Elections is the designated authority for the conduct of elections. The Government has commenced the election process. This was done after notification of Rules for appointment of Chief Commissioner Gurdwara Elections, and resolution in related matters in several court cases filed by different petitioners,” he said.
The Gurdwara Election Commission, headed by the chief commissioner, gurdwara elections, is the designated authority for the conduct of elections, he said.
Accordingly, the government has appointed a chief commissioner who issued notifications to the state governments of Punjab and Himachal Pradesh as well as the administrator of the Union Territory of Chandigarh and Commissioner, Gurdwara Elections. The notifications asked them to start preparing electoral rolls for elections for the constitution of new SGPC board in accordance with Section 48 of the Sikh Gurdwaras Act, 1925. However, the process has been stalled due to the high court stay, the minister added.
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