High court stays Punjab SEC’s decision to cancel panchayat polls

Chandigarh: The Punjab and Haryana High Court has overturned a decision by the Punjab State Election Commission (SEC) that cancelled the panchayat election of Chak Haraj village in Ferozepur district.

A bench comprising Justices Sureshwar Thakur and Sudipti Sharma stated that the SEC acted outside its jurisdiction in intervening in the election matter, a role designated solely to the election tribunal under the Punjab State Election Commission Act of 1994.

The court referenced Section 89 of the Act, highlighting that only the election tribunal has the authority to nullify panchayat polls on grounds such as wrongful rejection of nominations.

In its ruling, the court noted that the SEC’s actions not only exceeded its jurisdiction but also infringed upon the rights of petitioner Simarpreet Kaur, who had been declared the unopposed winner of the election.