Photo Source: Babushahi Bureau
Gurdwara Election Commission should ensure registration of eligible Sikh voters: SGPC President
Letter written to Gurdwara Election Commission based on complaints received from Sangat
Babushahi Bureau
Amritsar, August 10, 2024: The Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) President Advocate Harjinder Singh Dhami has written a letter to Chief Commissioner Gurdwara Elections Justice (retired) SS Saron to ensure transparency and registration of eligible Sikh voters for the general elections of SGPC.
Harjinder Singh Dhami strongly objected to the fact that the Punjab government is ignoring the rules set for registration for Gurdwara elections.
He said that complaints and information have been received from the Sangat from different areas of Punjab that government employees tasked to register votes are registering votes from the voter lists of Lok Sabha and Vidhan Sabha without verification and while ignoring the rules.
Under this practice, there is a strong apprehension of violation of the condition of being an Amritdhari (initiated) and Sabat Soorat (with unshorn hair) Sikh.Harjinder Singh Dhami wrote to Justice Saron to issue strict directions in this matter so that it is ensured that no non-Sikh and ineligible vote is registered.
He said that it is the primary duty of the Gurdwara Election Commission to ensure voter registration as per the rules for electing the members of the Sikh organization SGPC, and the Commission should pay close attention to the objections and concerns of the Sangat.
The SGPC President also asked Justice Saron to issue orders to ensure proper access to the voter registration process for the Amritdhari and Sabat Soorat Sikh voters and to verify the identity of each voter besides registering their form with the latest photographs.