Chandigarh: The Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) has exposed that the Zila Parishad and Panchayat Samitis stand vitiated on the second day of nominations itself as the designated officers to issue SC/BC and no objection certificates (NOCs) to the aspiring candidates are playing truant from their offices or bossing around denying certificates and voters’ lists.
This is being resorted on the directions of the ruling Congress leaders to deprive the rivals of their constitutional right to enter poll fray while such officers would “work from home” to oblige the ruling party candidates, says a party communiqué.
Since such reports are pouring in from different nearly all districts and tehsils HQs , the Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) has urged the State Election Commission to direct all concerned officials in the entire state to ensure that the grievances of the candidates are immediately addressed and a level playing field in created for all the candidates irrespective of their political affiliation.
In a letter shot to the Commission, SAD senior vice president Dr. Cheema has detailed the difficulties faced by party candidates which range from refusal to supply voters lists in Verka block while officers in neighbouring Ajanla block complains that officers are denying acknowledging “chullaha tax ” and to issue NOCs.
Similar complaints are received from Sardulgarh( Mansa) , Qadian( Batala) Giddarbaha ( Muktsar) Vajidpur Zone in Chamkaur Sahib and block Nawan Shahar (SBS ) Nagar), Dera Baba Nanak, Kalanour ,Kahnuwan, Dhariwal & Zila parishad Amritsar ( Zandiala Zone) to mention a few.
And such complaints are still reaching the SAD offices in the state which itself is a big question mark on the ‘free and fair” Zila Parishad and Panchayat polls.
Either the concerned officers are not available or denying the mandatory documents or the officers are using delaying tactics to harass and frustrate the aspirants to the extent that aspirants opt out of race while others are emboldened enough to deny voters’ lists, rued Dr.Cheema.