Sigh of relief for 7 Patiala MCs; High Court allows them to take oath

143

Sigh of relief for 7 Patiala MCs; High Court allows them to take oath

Kanwar Inder Singh/ royalpatiala.in News/ January 13,2025

As per reports, today the Punjab and Haryana High Court has asked the seven MCs of Patiala Municipal Corporation who were elected unopposed in the recently held municipal corporation elections to take oath of office and secrecy.

AAP candidates Sonia Rani (Ward 1), Ranjit Singh Chandok (Ward 32), Geeta Devi (Ward 33), Harpreet Singh (Ward 36), Amanpreet Singh (Ward 41) Rajesh Kumar Raju Sahni (Ward 48), Harmanjeet Singh (Ward 50) were elected unopposed as no other candidate filed their nomination papers against them.

The court has allowed the unopposed elected MCs to take oath and complete the process.

The Punjab Government on December 20,2024 had deferred the Municipal Corporation elections in seven wards of Patiala after a plea before the Punjab and Haryana High Court was filed alleging snatching of nomination papers in front of police. During the hearing, petitioners shown the videos where it was clearly seen that some police men were standing when nomination papers of women were snatched.

Earlier, on December 20,2024, the court while hearing a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) regarding the ongoing municipal elections in Patiala highlights serious irregularities in the electoral process, including misconduct, intimidation, and unlawful interference. The petition calls for a `de novo’ election process, asserting that the current proceedings are compromised. The petition also demands financial accountability from election officials and asks for an FIR against erring officials. The petition claims that several nomination papers allegedly torn or forcibly taken away by individuals linked to the ruling regime. Political leaders are accused of directly intimidating Opposition candidates, while the police remained inactive despite the chaos. The petition also alleges that nomination papers were deliberately torn and discarded to sideline Opposition candidates, undermining the democratic process. The petition argues that these actions infringe upon the democratic rights of both candidates and voters.

Sigh of relief for 7 Patiala MCs; High Court allows them to take oath.The opposition candidates had sought a stay on the Municipal elections that was scheduled for December 21 on the grounds that they were thwarted from filing nominations the last date of which was December 12.

ALSO READ