- BJP Delegation Warns SEC: ‘Democracy in Punjab Under Threat’
CHANDIGARH: A delegation of the Bharatiya Janata Party, Punjab, led by Dr. Jagmohan Singh Raju (Retd. IAS), General Secretary BJP Punjab, today met the State Election Commissioner, Punjab, and submitted a formal letter written by BJP Punjab Working President Ashwani Sharma seeking strict directions to ensure impartial conduct of the state machinery and mandatory videography of the entire election process for the upcoming Zila Parishad and Panchayat Samiti elections.
The delegation comprised State Vice President Dr. Subhash Sharma, Jasmine Sandhewalia, State Secretary Sanjeev Khanna, Bhanu Pratap, State Co-Cashier Sukwinder Singh Goldy, State Convenor Legal Cell N.K. Verma, State Media Head Vineet Joshi, and senior BJP leaders, including Bibi Param Pal Kaur and Ex-DGP Paramdeep Singh Gill.
In the letter submitted to the Commission, Ashwani Sharma expressed serious concern over reports that several Returning Officers and police officials were allegedly functioning under the undue influence of the ruling AAP government, resulting in obstruction and interference during the filing of nomination papers by opposition candidates. The letter emphasized that all candidates must be permitted to file nominations without any hindrance and that neutrality of officials must be enforced to safeguard the democratic process.
Sharma highlighted previous instances from earlier local body elections in which state officials had allegedly acted at the behest of the ruling party to prevent BJP and opposition candidates from filing nominations.
The letter also referred to a recent case in which Gurpreet Singh, BJP Majri Mandal President, was allegedly threatened by SHO Ajay Parocha that BJP candidates would be arrested if they attempted to file their nomination papers
The delegation strongly urged the Election Commission to mandate videography of the entire election process, including the filing of nomination papers, scrutiny, withdrawal, polling, counting, and declaration of results. According to the BJP, comprehensive videography documentation would enhance transparency, deter misuse of official authority, and ensure the availability of verifiable evidence in case of any dispute or investigation.