Finding “irregularities” during conduct of elections in Mohali Municipal Corporation’s Ward Number 10, the Punjab State Election Commission on Tuesday ordered to conduct re-poll at the two polling booths of the ward, from where Punjab Health Minister Balbir Singh Sidhu’s brother Amarjeet Singh Jeeti Sidhu is contesting as Congress candidate.

The repolling would be held on February 17 (Wednesday), with the Commission postponing the counting of votes for Mohali Municipal Corporation for a day — that is the result for Mohali Municipal Corporation would be declared on February 18 (Thursday), while the counting of votes for the remaining seats would be held as per scheduled (February 17-Wednesday).

Notably, Azad group candidate from Ward No. 10 and former councilor Paramjeet Singh Kahlon had lodged a complaint with the poll panel against the Congress candidate alleging that the police forcibly removed his polling agents from the booth in connivance with Congress workers.

Demanding repolling in the ward, Kahlon had accused the poll staff of working under the pressure of Mohali MLA and Minister Balbir Singh Sidhu, as some people voted by using fake ID proofs, booths were captured by Congress workers, while alleging that the police and civil administration had also helped his opponents.

“The Commission has received report from Sub-Divisional Magistrate-cum-Returning Officers (RO) SAS Nagar through Deputy Commissioner-cum-District Election Officer, SAS Nagar, in which they reported irregularities during polling and urged for re-polling in booth no 32 and 33 of ward no 10,” said an official spokesperson of the State Election Commission.

Spokesperson said that taking serious note of the same, the Commission has announced to nullify the earlier polling conducted in these booths and ordered to re-poll on February 17, 2021, from 8 am to 4 pm in these two booths. “Now, the counting for entire Municipal Corporation, SAS Nagar, will take place on February 18, 2021, from 9 am,” added the spokesperson.

Sharing the orders received from the poll panel, Mohali Deputy Commissioner-cum-District Electoral Officer Girish Dayalan said that the poll of booth numbers 32 and 33 of Ward No. 10 is declared void and re-poll has been ordered which will take place on February 17.

“A complaint regarding alleged electoral malpractices in Booth 32 and 33 in Ward No 10 of Municipal Corporation, SAS Nagar, was made on February 15 by a candidate of MC elections, seeking re-poll…An enquiry was marked to SDM Mohali-cum-Returning Officer (RO) for Wards 1-25, Mohali, and point-wise findings along with clear recommendation was sought within 24 hours,” said Dayalan.

He added that during enquiry, allegations made by the complainant have been “substantiated”.

“Since an error or irregularity in procedure is likely to vitiate the poll committed at a polling station, under Section 59 (c) of the Punjab State Election Commission Act, 1994, so as mandated by the Act, the matter was brought to the notice of State Election Commission for further necessary action,” he added.

Dayalan said: “The sanctity and integrity of the poll process is paramount and should be above any suspicion or doubts. Since there are certain infirmities which create an element of doubt so the report, was submitted to SEC with the recommendation that the re-poll of these booths be ordered.”

At the same time, Dayalan has also ordered a detailed inquiry to look into the irregularities committed in the polling booth numbers 32 and 33 of Ward No.10. “After inquiry, action, as warranted under law, would be taken against the guilty under intimation to the Commission,” said Dayalan.

Reacting on the development, Punjab Health and Family Welfare Minister and Mohali legislator Balbir Singh Sidhu on Tuesday maintained that he “wholeheartedly accept” the State Election Commission’s decision to hold re-election in two booths of Ward Number 10 while claiming Congress party candidates victory with a record margin than before from the said ward.  Sidhu’s younger brother, Amarjeet Singh Jeeti Sidhu, is contesting from Ward Number 10. “On February 14, like all wards of Mohali, elections were held in a peaceful and free and fair manner in ward no 10. But a candidate, upset over his apparent defeat at the hands of a Congress candidate, got the decision to hold re-election in two out of four booths on the basis of false complaints,” he said.