CHANDIGARH: The State Election Commission, Punjab today postponed the general elections to six Gram Panchayats in four districts, which were scheduled to be held on 26th May in the state. Besides this, three election officers has been removed.
           

He added that the Commission has also ordered the District Electoral Officer-cum-Deputy Commissioner, Patiala to appoint new Returning Officer in block Nabha immediately and initiate disciplinary action for imposition of major penalty against the erring Returning Officer of Block Nabha, who had committed the gross irregularity by rejecting the nomination papers candidates of Panchayat Dharonki. Thus the election process has been vitiated by the conduct of the Returning Officer.

The Commission has directed the District Electoral Officer-cum-Deputy Commissioner, Moga to remove Returning Officer Block Nihal Singh Wala who has acted in a wrongful and negligent manner and thus eroded the sanctity of election and the election process has been vitiated by the conduct of the Returning Officer. The Returning Officer Block Nihal Singh Wala would be immediately suspended and disciplinary action for imposition of major punishment Wala would be taken against him.

In another case the Commission has also directed the District Electoral Officer-cum-Deputy Commissioner, Moga to remove Assistant Registrar Cooperative Societies, who was Returning Officer Block Nihal Singh Wala. He would be immediately suspended and disciplinary action for imposition of major punishment would be taken against him. He has malafide in rejection of large numbers of nomination papers of village Panchayat Nidhanwala candidates without any legal basis.

The Commission while considering the report of the Executive Officer and the District Electoral Officer, Gurdaspur found that Returning Officer Manjit Singh Naib Teshsildar-cum-Returning Officer Dera Baba Nanak was the custodian of the nomination papers of Panchayat Choura Bajwa candidates and therefore any substitution by replacement could not take place without his connivance or consent.  His conduct was extremely suspicion and smacks of malafide intent. The Commission directed the District Electoral Officer, Gurdaspur that he would be immediately placed under suspension and disciplinary proceedings for imposition of major punishment initiated against him.  The Commission has come to the conclusion that the election process has been vitiated by the conduct of the Returning Officer.

The Commission on the report of the District Electoral Officer and the Executive Magistrate, Gurdaspur  found that the conduct of the Returning Officer Shri Raj Kumar Bajwa, SDO, UBDC Sub-Division Gurdaspur was highly suspected. His conduct has derailed electoral process to Gram Panchayat Village Nikka The-Therke and vitiated the election proceedings.  He would be placed under suspension immediately and disciplinary proceedings for imposition of major punishment be initiated against him.

After due consideration of the report of the District Electoral Officer Mansa, the Commission has come to the conclusion that the election process has been vitiated by the conduct of Returning Officer (BPEO), Bhiki in the manner of wrongful rejection of nomination forms of the complainants of Panchayat Bappiana Block Bhikhi.  Even if the corruption charges against the Returning Officer do not stand proved yet he was guilty of negligence, malafide and non-compliance and defiance of the instructions of the Commission that nomination papers accompanied by the affidavit would not be rejected and therefore, disciplinary action for imposition of major punishment would be taken against him.