The Shiromani Akali Dal today complained to the Election Commission, alleging that the state bureaucracy was deliberately creating hurdles for the opposition in filing nominations for the upcoming municipal corporation polls in Punjab.
It demanded strict action against "erring officials" besides asking the Commission to ensure a hassle-free election process to keep the democratic set up intact.
In a letter to the poll body, former minister and SAD spokesperson, Daljit Singh Cheema, said, "It is surprising that filing of nominations for the MC elections has already started, but many municipal committees like Dharamkot, Panjtoor of district Moga and town panchayats like Dhilwan, Begowal and Bholath of district Kapoorthala are still awaiting voter lists.
"This is a deep rooted conspiracy weaved by the state bureaucracy which desperately wants to keep the opposition candidates out of this contest," he said.
The SAD leader asked the Commission to order a probe into the matter.
The opposition party also released a list of 41 candidates for the Patiala Municipal Corporation polls.
Elections to the three municipal corporations and 32 municipal councils/nagar panchayats in Punjab will be held on December 17.
It will be for the first time that voters would be able to exercie 'None Of The Above' option in the civic body polls in the state.
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