Chandigarh, 1 October 2024:
Whereas a number of instances have been highlighted in the news and social media channels regarding some sort of auction process whereby it is being stated that the post of Sarpanch is being auctioned to the highest bidder by the Panchayat concerned and such highest bidder would be considered as ‘Unanimously Elected’.
Disclosing this here today, Punjab State Election Commissioner Raj Kamal Chaudhuri said that in order to examine the legal and ethical outcomes of such a process in the larger democratic traditions, it has become incumbent on the State Election Commission to take a balanced view on this issue.
He further informed that the State Election Commission calls on all Deputy Commissioners-cum-District Election Officers in the State to closely monitor and report any such specific instances in their District, whether reported or in process, and to submit a detailed report with their comments to the Commission within 24 hours.
