Registration time should be extended by three months for SGPC elections, says Sukhbir Badal

Punjab desk: Shiromani Akali Dal President Sukhbir Singh Badal recently appealed to the Chief Commissioner of Gurdwara Elections, Justice (Retd) SS Saron to extend the time for registration of votes for the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee elections by three months.

Shiromani Akali Dal President who met the Chief Commissioner and submitted a demand letter to him in this regard, apprised Justice Saron of the difficulties faced by members of the Sikh community in registering voters.

Sukhbir Singh Badal said that a large number of voters are from rural areas, who have been engaged in harvesting paddy for the last one month and are now engaged in sowing wheat. He said that this is the time when ‘Bandi Chod Diwas’ is celebrated. He said that in the second fortnight of December, the Sikh community celebrates the martyrdom fortnight of the younger sons of Guru Gobind Singh Sahib.

Badal said that apart from this, many voters have contacted him who have said that the voter registration process is very complicated and illogical. He said that as per the current guidelines, it is mandatory for potential voters to attach their Aadhaar card with the voter identity card. He said that the voters will have to submit the forms themselves at the Patwar Khana. He said that more than 60 lakh voters are not able to personally go to the Patwar Khana and submit their forms. He also said that photocopying and photography facilities are not available in many villages.