Punjab Congress today demanded deployment of Central Para-Military Forces at all polling stations for the May 19 Panchayat elections, "to avoid booth capturing and intimidation by SAD-BJP supporters at the behest of the state government."
In a memorandum submitted to Governor Shivraj Patil, the party said, "Free and fair elections were not possible in an atmosphere of terror."
The delegation, which met the Governor, included PPCC president Partap Singh Bajwa, former Chief Minister Rajinder Kaur Bhattal and former PPCC president Mohinder Singh Kaypee.
Former Chief Minister Amarinder Singh was conspicuous by his absence.
The Congress has also demanded video-recording of the voting process and depositing of all fire arms of private persons with the police.
"Till date only 50 per cent fire arms have been deposited with the police," the party said.
No officer, either on contractual duty or re-employed, be given important election duty like Returning Officer, Presiding Officer or assisting any other electoral duty, as they are neither accountable nor answerable to any process of law, the party demanded.
In the memorandum, the party said, "There was complete anarchy in the state, the killing of Youth Congress leader Sukhraj Singh at Patti allegedly by Akali goons and the firing on Congress MLA Rana Sodhi at Ferozepur, are clear indicators of the reign of terror and complete breakdown of law and order in Punjab.
