Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) on Friday registered a complaint against Bathinda Deputy Commiss-ioner Parneet Bhardwaj with Punjab Chief Electoral Officer Dr S Karuna Raju requesting that he be transferred immediately to ensure free and fair elections.
The complaint against the Bathinda DC said that the officer was allowing himself to be used as a Congress agent because the ruling party had posted him at this important post despite the fact that he was scheduled to retired in September this year.
SAD president Sukhbir Badal’s political secretary Charanjit Singh Brar said that as per the directions of the Chief Election Commission (CEC), any officer who is scheduled to retire in six months should not be appointed as returning officer. Pointing out that Bathinda DC was trying to influence the electorate, Brar said that the people going to the Deputy Commissioner’s officer for redressal of their grievances were told to approach Congress leaders and secure their ‘sifarish’. People visiting the DC office were also told to support the Congress party by stating that the ruling party alone could help resolve their issues.
