CHANDIGARH: The State Election Commission, Punjab Friday postponed the general elections to eighteen Gram Panchayats in six districts, 12 alone in Nawanshehar, which were scheduled to be held on 26th May in the state. Besides this, five election officers have been removed. So far EC had postponed election in about 300 Panchayats.

A spokesman of the State Election Commission, Punjab said that exercising the powers vested with the State Election Commission under Article 243K and 243N of the Constitution of India, the polls to eighteen Gram Panchayats namely Gram Panchayat Karimpur, Gram Panchayat Pallian Kalan, Gram Panchayat Saloh, Gram Panchayat Pallian Khurd, Gram Panchayat Kot Ranjha, Gram Panchayat Ram Rai Pur, Gram Panchayat Bairsian, Gram Panchayat Gorakhpur, Gram Panchayat Chhokran, Gram Panchayat Punnu Majara, Gram Panchayat Gohlron and Gram Panchayat Begumpur all in district Nawan Shahr, Gram Panchayat Harlalpura in district SAS Nagar, Gram Panchayat Mangewal and Gram Panchayat Slempur Dhaha both in district Ludhiana, Gram Panchayat Lahiri Gujran in district Gurdaspur, Gram Panchayat Rampura in district Ferozpur and Gram Panchayat Jamsher Khas in district Jalandhar have been postponed by the Commission and fresh election schedule would be communicated separately.

He added that considering the report of the Observer, the Commission has come to the conclusion that Returning Officer  Parkash Ram SDO, PSEB Banga had acted in an extremely irresponsible manner and his conduct was prime facie malafide and further non production of files makes his conduct highly suspicious. Therefore, purity and sanctity of election process has been vitiated and the election to 12 villages of district Nawan Shahr has been countermanded. The Returning Officer has been placed under suspension immediately and disciplinary action for imposition of major penalty would be initiated against him.

The Commission on the recommendations of the District Electoral Officer, Gurdaspur has suspended the Returning Officer Zone No.2 Block Pathankot Shri Rattan Anmol, Assistant Food and Supply Officer, Pathankot and disciplinary action for imposition of major punishment would be initiated against him. His conduct has derailed electoral process to Gram Panchayat Lahri Gujran and vitiated the election proceedings.

The Commission while considering the report of the District Electoral Officer, Ludhiana, found that the election process has been vitiated by the questionable conduct of the Returning Officer Mr. Jeet Singh, Secretary, Market Committee, Doraha and the Assistant Returning Officer Mr. Ramandeep Singh Agriculture Development Officer Madinpur. Accordingly the election to Gram Panchayat Mangewal Tehsil Payal District Ludhiana has been countermanded. The Commission has directed to the District Electoral Officer Ludhiana to initiate Disciplinary action against both the Returning Officers.

In another case the Commission has found that election process has been vitiated as per the report of the Additional District Electoral Officer Ferozpur and the poll to Gram Panchayat Rampura in district Ferozpur has been countermanded. The Commission has directed to the District Electoral Officer Ferozpur to initiate Disciplinary action against the concerned Returning Officer.