Bains alleges misuse of govt machinery, complains to EC

Tribune News Service

Ludhiana, October 18

The Lok Insaaf Party (LIP) chief and MLA, Simarjit Singh Bains, has complained to the Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) against the alleged misuse of power and exertion of undue influence by the Punjab Chief Minister (CM) on the police and civil administration for the upcoming byelections. In his complaint, Bains alleged that the CM had given clear-cut instructions to the police and the administration to ensure win of Congress candidates in byelections by hook or by crook.

“I have come to know from some honest senior officers that the Punjab CM has given specific directions to the police and the civil administration for ensuring the win of Congress candidates on all the four seats. The CM, who should be a torch bearer of democratic values. However, in a complete contrast, he is misusing his power and position while directing the police and the civil administration to become stooges of Congressmen,” stated Bains in his complaint to the CEC.

“The Congress candidate from Dakha constituency, Sandeep Sandhu, is CM’s close friend. He has remained CM’s officer on special duty. Officials are openly supporting the Congress candidate,” he alleged further.

He requested the CEC for changing the returning officer and assistant returning officer of the Dakha Assembly constituency and appointment of independent officers from outside Punjab to ensure free and fair elections.

“There are strong apprehensions that these byelections would be marred by violence, booth capturing and rigging. There is also an apprehension that the staff and polling agents appointed on booths will be threatened by the police. Videography of every polling booth should be ensured. Internal security of polling booths should be handed over to paramilitary forces instead of police officials,” said Bains.