The Hindu : Other States / Punjab News : Counting for Ajnala by-election stayed

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Friday, Feb 25, 2005

Other States

Other States - Punjab

Counting for Ajnala by-election stayed

By Our Staff Correspondent

CHANDIGARH, FEB. 24 . The Election Commission of India has stayed the counting of votes for the Ajnala by-election where polling on Wednesday came under a cloud following allegations of rigging, booth capturing and violence. This was disclosed today by the State's Chief Electoral Office (CEO) which received a short communication to this effect.

According to an official spokesperson, the Commission had instructed the CEO to withhold the process of counting of votes till "further orders''. However, reliable sources said that the Commission would give its verdict after its fact- finding team submits its report following an "on-the-spot'' inquiry into the allegations.

Though the Commission has not elaborated the reasons for its decision, the opposition party, the Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD), had charged that the ruling Congress had rigged elections. Regional media also carried reports about widespread violence, including instances of booth capturing during the polling. It was also alleged that while civil official machinery had behaved in a partisan manner, the security personnel either preferred to remain mute spectators or openly sided with the supporters of the ruling party.

Responding to the development, while talking to `The Hindu', the Chief Minister, Amarinder Singh, expressed surprise over the development. He said that there was a major turnout of voters and tension levels were as expected for any by-election. He said that barring violence at five villages, polling across the constituency was fairly peaceful. He denied all allegations related to foul play and accused the SAD of misleading the country after it had sensed a humiliating defeat.

Expressing satisfaction on the development, the SAD president, Parkash Singh Badal, said that the Election Commission had finally woken up to the gravity of the situation. However, the people of Punjab would be satisfied that justice was delivered only after a re-poll was conducted in the constituency, he said.

Meanwhile, party General Secretary, Sukhbir Singh, said that he would lead the Akali MPs to raise the issue of "murder of democracy'' at Ajnala during the forthcoming budget session of Parliament. He said that after consulting the allies, the SAD would mount pressure on the United Progressive Alliance (UPA) Government at the Centre to rein in the Chief Minister, who had crossed all limits in subverting democratic norms and unleashing unprecedented "tyranny'' on the public, especially those aligned with political opponents.

The party's Secretary, D.S. Cheema, said that it was also decided to organise a protest on February 26. Senior leaders, legislators and members of the Political Affairs Committee (PAC) would wear black badges and sit in `dharna' in front of the Punjab Raj Bhawan. Before organising the protest, Mr, Badal would chair a meeting of the PAC.

Earlier in the day, through a letter to the Chief Election Commissioner (CEC), while demanding that the by-election be countermanded, Mr. Badal had sought a fresh polling under direct supervision and control of the Central forces. He said that such a step would help put democracy back on the rails in Punjab where the party had no faith in the intent and ability of the State Government agencies to conduct a free and fair poll.

The party also demanded that the Commission recommend the dismissal of the Government headed by Capt Amarinder Singh "in the light of the most extra-ordinary developments of February 23, in which the Constitution of India was flouted with impunity. The Chief Minister is presiding over the virtual negation of both democracy and the Constitution of India in Punjab.''

Printer friendly page
Send this article to Friends by E-Mail

Other States

News Update

Stories in this Section

Counting for Ajnala by-election stayed