CHANDIGARH: Punjab and Haryana High Court today stayed the election process in about 300 Panchayats. The petitioners have approached the High Court against cancellation of their nomination papers. The election in about 13237 villages is scheduled for October 15.
Hakam Singh advocate who represented some of the candidates said that democratic norms were violated by the election officials. He said that about 10, 000 nominations of Sarpanches and Panches were cancelled. He said that there was flood of petitions in the high court against highhandedness of Election Commission. The petitioners have alleged that Punjab government had cancelled nomination papers of opposition candidates to ensure victory of AAP workers.
Next date of hearing is October 14, according to Neil Garg, spokesman of AAP. He said that there was stay on election in other Panchayats. He said that every person has the right to seek legal remedy.
The EC has also questioned appointment of State Election commissioner who is a retired bureaucrat.