Ration card holders can file papers

CHANDIGARH, June 11: The Punjab Government has in a press release clarified that persons having ration cards or identity cards issued by the...

CHANDIGARH, June 11: The Punjab Government has in a press release clarified that persons having ration cards or identity cards issued by the Election Commission or having their names in the electoral rolls used for the previous elections would be entitled to file their nomination papers, as per the directions of the Punjab and Haryana High Court.

But, the official press release inter-alia clarified that as far as casting of the vote was concerned it could only be done in accordance with the voters list prepared by the state election commission or the correction order given by the commission subsequently. The mere entry of a name in the ration card, identity card or in the voters list for the parliamentary or Assembly election would not entitle a person to cast his vote in the panchayat elections, the press note said.

Meanwhile, a large number of voters from different parts of Punjab today assembled before the office of the State Election Commission here to protest against innumerable irregularities in the voters list.

Many alleged that the names of their supporters had been deleted from the list at the behest of rivals. In some cases minors were found enrolled as voters, the protesters alleged.

AMRITSAR:
The Punjab Pradesh Congress Committee has demanded a high level probe into the alleged high handedness of the ruling Shiromani Akali Dal-BJP government in the on going process of panchayat elections in the state.

Talking to media persons here, former Congress Minister Sardul Singh said their party had urged the state election commission to postpone the panchayat elections slated for June 21 so as to conduct fair and free elections, as the ruling party by allegedly using the official machinery, had violated election norms.

They said officials rejected the papers of the Opposition parties to favour Akali candidates.

Story continues below this ad

The Congress leader also alleged that nomination papers of their party candidates were either rejected or misplaced by the staff on duty at the behest of local legislators in the entire state.

The Congress party staged a dharna in front of the block development and panchayat officer in the Verka block, Jandiala Guru and many other parts of the city.

Congress candidates from village Khaparkheri, Dhattal, Kotli Nasir Khan, Taze Chuk, Rammuwale, Baserke Bhaini, while criticising the Badal government for the 8220;rule of jungle8221; also demanded a CBI probe into matters pertaining to panchayat polls in which the ruling party has 8220;committed the murder of democracy.8221;