Chandigarh: The Punjab and Haryana High Court has slammed the Punjab government for "blatant abuse of power" in the upcoming Panchayat elections, granting an interim stay on further election proceedings in affected villages. The polls, initially set for October 15, have been halted due to allegations of unfair practices, including the arbitrary rejection of nomination papers and the declaration of unopposed winners.
Unfair Practices Uncovered
The court noted instances where officials from the governing party tore nomination papers, claiming they were lost, and rejected papers without valid reasons ¹. Photographs showed winners celebrating with Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann and AAP MLAs, raising concerns about the legitimacy of the process.
Protecting the Right to Vote
The court emphasized that voters have the right to choose "None of the Above" (NOTA) and that no candidate can be declared a winner unopposed ¹. This right, though not fundamental, is a statutory right that cannot be taken away. The court deemed the state's actions "unconstitutional" and an attempt to undermine the democratic process.
Multiple Petitions Filed
Over 250 petitions were filed, highlighting the widespread nature of these allegations ¹. The court expressed concern that no opportunity for hearing or inquiry was provided to candidates whose nominations were rejected, and that minor discrepancies were not addressed.
Next Steps
The matter is listed for further consideration on October 16. The court's decision aims to maintain the legitimacy and trust in representative democracy, ensuring a free and fair electoral process.