Residents of two villages in Amritsar district will head to the polls today for a crucial do-over. This follows the dramatic cancellation of the original panchayat elections in Khassa and Verpal due to significant errors discovered in the electoral rolls.
Why the Earlier Polls Were Scrapped
The State Election Commission took the decisive step to cancel the elections after glaring discrepancies came to light. The core issue was that the voter lists for both villages contained numerous names of deceased individuals. Furthermore, the lists also included the names of many people who were no longer residents of these villages.
These errors fundamentally compromised the integrity of the electoral process, making a fair contest impossible. The cancellation order was formally issued by the office of the Amritsar Deputy Commissioner, which also functions as the District Election Officer for these local body polls.
The Fresh Voting Process Today
The re-polling is scheduled for Wednesday, February 28. Voting will be conducted through a secret ballot to ensure transparency. The administration has made all necessary arrangements for a smooth and error-free process this time.
Election officials have been instructed to strictly adhere to the model code of conduct. Security has been tightened in both Khassa and Verpal to maintain law and order and to guarantee that voters can cast their ballots without any fear or intimidation.
Broader Implications for Electoral Integrity
This incident has cast a spotlight on the critical importance of maintaining accurate and up-to-date voter lists. Outdated rolls not only disrupt the electoral process but also undermine public trust in democratic institutions.
The cancellation and re-polling come at a significant administrative cost and cause inconvenience to candidates and voters alike. It serves as a stark reminder for election authorities across Punjab to conduct thorough revisions of electoral rolls before announcing any polls.
The eyes of the district are now on Khassa and Verpal as they attempt to elect their village leadership through a free and fair vote today. The outcome will be keenly watched, marking an end to an unfortunate chapter of electoral errors.
