Chandigarh, December 8, 2024 (Yes Punjab News)
The Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) today registered a strong protest against the State Election Commission’s decision to hold elections to five municipal corporations and 43 municipal councils on December 21, stating the sentiments of the Sikh community had been hurt by the Commission’s decision to hold the elections during a time when Sikhs mourned the supreme sacrifices made by the four Sahibzadas of Guru Gobind Singh.
In a statement here, SAD senior leader Dr Daljit Singh Cheema said it was shocking that the State Election Commission had chosen to hold the elections on December 21, a day which marked the sacrifices of the two elder Sahibzadas.
He said it was unfortunate that the Commission had proceeded to fix the election date on December 21 despite appeals by the SAD as well as the Shiromani Committee not to conduct the elections in the second half of December.
Asking the Commission to withdraw its order and issue fresh directions to hold elections to the local bodies in January, Dr Daljit Cheema said “we have witnessed such precedents in almost all elections with the procedure being deferred on account of holy days or events”.
He said Sikhs marked the martyrdom of the four Sahibzadas with a fortnight long period of mourning in the second half of December and it would not be appropriate to hold elections to the local bodies during this period.
Dr Cheema also announced the SAD would contest the elections and that it would appropriate meetings to select party candidates as well as plan the overall strategy. EOM
