Big decision: Punjab and Haryana High Court stays Panchayat elections in several Punjab villages
Kanwar Inder Singh/ royalpatiala.in News/ October 9,2024
In a major decision on Wednesday, the Punjab and Haryana High Court stayed the Panchayat elections in around 250 villages in Punjab and Panchayat elections will not take place until further orders.
On the other hand, in a big relief to Punjab government, the Punjab and Haryana High Court has stayed the Panchayat elections in only 250 villages out of 13229 gram panchayats in Punjab and rest of the gram panchayats will undergo the elections.
The High Court stayed the panchayat elections after receiving a petition filed from multiple villages, alleging intimidation and rigging. The High Court stayed the panchayat elections in around 250 villages and fixed October 14,2024 as next date of hearing.
Earlier, Punjab State Election Commissioner Raj Kamal Chaudhuri had said that the total number of Gram Panchayats are 13229 where Elections are to be held. As per available information, the High Court has issued the stay order on 250 petitions filed in the court by same number of villages.
The HC flayed the Punjab Government for its handling of the electoral process and demanded an explanation regarding the appointment of State Election Commissioner Raj Kamal Chaudhuri within one hour.
The High Court stated that Raj Kamal Chaudhuri had retired as an IAS officer in April, which means he was not eligible to issue the election notification. According to the Act, only a serving IAS officer or a retired High Court judge can be appointed as the State Election Commissioner. Raj Kamal Chaudhuri issued the election notification in September, despite having retired in April.
Big decision: Punjab and Haryana High Court stays Panchayat elections in several Punjab villages. During the proceedings, the Punjab and Haryana High Court highlighted “The government must clarify whether it intends to withdraw the election notification and undertake a more efficient electoral process. If not, the court will have no choice but to issue strict orders.”
