Chandigarh, October 23, 2016: A delegation of the Shiromani Akali Dal comprising party Secretary General Mr. Sukhdev Singh Dhindsa and party Secretary and Spokesman Dr. Daljit Singh Cheema met the Election Commission of India at Chandigarh today and presented the views of the SAD on the coming Vidhan Sabha polls.
The SAD leaders urged the ECI to minimize the period between the announcement of election and date of polling as well as the period extending from day of polling to the declaration of results. “Where as the longer duration of code of conduct unnecessary affects the developmental activity of the state and long delays in declaration of results creates a period of uncertainty which is not good for state of Punjab,” said party leaders.
The SAD urged the ECI to curb the menace of paid news with a firm hand which is being misused by many parties in the elections. The party also urged the ECI to increase the limit of cash carrying during the period of code of conduct. The SAD leaders said that it has been seen in the previous elections that ordinary businessmen faced harassment due to the lower limit fixed by the ECI at the time of election. It adversely affected business activity in the state.
The SAD leaders also demanded that procedure of taking NOC for organizing election rallies and other meeting should be simplified so that candidates do not face harassment during election campaign.
The party also brought to the notice of the commission that certain leaders of various political parties are indulging in false and malicious campaign amounting to character assassination of ruling party leaders which should be curbed with firm hands.
The party also complained about the threats being issued by PPCC Chief Capt Amarinder Singh to the police officials and other government functionaries with an intention to insult and demoralize them and demanded strict action to stop this without any delay.
The party also assured the ECI that being a responsible political party the SAD will fully cooperate with the ECI in conduct of free and fair elections.