SEC warning on ballot papers

CHANDIGARH, June 18: The State Election Commissioner (SEC) C.D.Cheema today pointed out to the Punjab Government serious irregularities in the printing of ballot papers for some areas of Amritsar and Sangrur districts and told it to make necessary arrangements immediately to rectify the situation.

In two separate communications sent to the Secretary, Elections (Local Bodies wing), Cheema has expressed the apprehension that the situation may result in non-holding of elections there on June 21 nextHe has warned that the “the responsibility for non-holding of the elections in such a situation shall rest on the government.”

He has pointed out that the ballot papers for sarpanches and panches for Alkara and Jangiana villages falling in Sehna block of Sangrur district had not been printed. Terming it very serious, he has asked the Secretary to direct the Controller of Printing and Stationery, Punjab, to make necessary arrangements immediately under intimation to the Commission.

He has also pointed out many discrepancies in the ballot papers for Amritsar district where these were being printed afresh after rectification.