Sidhu flags ‘irregularities’ in Mohali MC polls, seeks re-poll at 3 booths

Mohali: Former Punjab health minister and senior Congress leader Balbir Singh Sidhu Saturday termed the alleged irregularities in the Mohali municipal corporation elections, particularly during counting, a serious blow to democratic norms and demanded re-polling at three booths.Sidhu sought cancellation of polling and fresh elections at booth no. 93 (ward 23), booth no. 7 (ward 2), and booth No. 17 (ward 4).Addressing mediapersons, he alleged major discrepancies during polling and counting at these booths. He claimed that several ballot papers recovered from ballot boxes had their counterfoils (receipt portions) still attached — a violation of election procedures that raises suspicion of bogus voting.He further alleged that many of these counterfoils did not carry voters’ signatures or thumb impressions.According to Sidhu, barring the Aam Aadmi Party candidate, all other candidates submitted written objections to the returning officer, seeking a halt to counting and withholding of results. Despite this, counting continued, and officials allegedly ordered the detachment of receipt portions from ballot papers before counting, raising further questions over the process.He urged the State Election Commission to cancel polling at the identified booths and conduct fresh elections, besides ordering a high-level probe into the alleged lapses.Sidhu also alleged that opposition candidates faced hurdles from the outset, including difficulties during nomination filing, delays in issuance of no-objection certificates, and rejection of nomination papers without valid reasons.