Ahead of the Punjab panchayat elections, Finance Minister of Punjab Harpal Singh Cheema has alleged that voters are being threatened and attempts are being made to buy the posts of Sarpanch and Panchs. "We have demanded strict action [by the Election Commission] against this," Cheema said.
He said that the Election Commission has assured of complete security in "sensitive" and "hypersensitive" areas in Punjab, which shares a border with Pakistan. The Aam Aadmi Party [AAP] leader also sought an extensive voter awareness drive ahead of the Punjab panchayat elections.
Harpal Singh Cheema and other AAP leaders, including Babbi Badal, Sunny Ahluwalia, and Neel Garg, on Tuesday submitted a memorandum to the State Election Commissioner highlighting their concerns over "electoral malpractices". According to news website Hindustan Times, the AAP urged the Election Commission to take "decisive against any form of election malpractice". The Harpal Cheema-led delegation said: "There is no room for corruption in a democracy, and we must uphold the model code of conduct in its entirety.”
The AAP team also stressed the need for better security arrangements at polling stations, particularly in areas deemed sensitive or at risk. Cheema pointed out that, since vote counting will begin soon after the polls close, ensuring adequate security is crucial to prevent any possible tampering or interference with the results. He called on local officials, including the SSP, DC, and SDM, to take an active role in enforcing security protocols and safeguarding the election's integrity.
AAP, Congress Workers Clash In Punjab
The AAP's submission at the EC came on a day when its workers clashed with Congress supporters. Congress leader and former MLA Kulbir Singh Zira sustained injuries in the clash while he was on his way to submit nomination papers for the upcoming panchayat elections in Punjab.
To disperse the mob, police fired several warning shots into the air and deployed water cannons.
The incident unfolded as Kulbir, who also serves as the district president of Congress, was heading with fellow party members to the nomination centre for the October 15 panchayat polls. As they approached the centre, a scuffle erupted between AAP and Congress supporters, leading to both sides hurling stones at each other. During the clash, a stone struck Kulbir's face, resulting in an injury.