Akali Dal demands Punjab poll chief's dismissal after SC sets aside municipal elections
Synopsis
The Supreme Court has set aside December 2024 municipal elections in Punjab, citing violence and obstruction, and ordered re-elections under a retired judge's supervision in three towns. Now the Shiromani Akali Dal is demanding the dismissal of the State Election Commissioner — a move that puts both the AAP government and the Punjab Governor in an uncomfortable spotlight.
Key Takeaways
Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) on 8 October 2026 urged Punjab Governor Gulab Chand Kataria to dismiss State Election Commissioner Raj Kamal Chaudhari .
The Supreme Court set aside December 2024 Punjab municipal elections, citing violence, intimidation, and obstruction of nominations.
A court-appointed commission headed by Justice Nirmaljit Kaur confirmed physical assaults on Opposition candidates and bogus voting.
Re-elections ordered under judicial monitoring in 28 wards in Patiala , all 15 wards in Baghapurana , and 7 wards in Dharamkot .
SAD leader Daljit Singh Cheema also questioned CM Bhagwant Mann over unfulfilled ₹1,500 per acre stubble management compensation for farmers.
The Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) on Thursday, 8 October 2026, urged Punjab Governor Gulab Chand Kataria to dismiss State Election Commissioner Raj Kamal Chaudhari after the Supreme Court observed that the December 2024 nomination process and subsequent municipal elections in the state were severely vitiated by violence, intimidation, and obstruction.
Key Demands by SAD
SAD leader Daljit Singh Cheema demanded that accountability be fixed on all officials who allegedly aided the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) government in manipulating the municipal elections, calling for exemplary action against them. He further alleged that Raj Kamal Chaudhari had ignored complaints about the alleged misuse of civil and police machinery during the elections.
'Now it has been proven beyond doubt that the State Election Commissioner murdered grassroots democracy under his watch. He does not have any right to remain in office,' Cheema said.
What the Supreme Court Found
A court-appointed fact-finding commission headed by former Punjab and Haryana High Court judge Justice Nirmaljit Kaur confirmed that Opposition candidates were physically assaulted, prevented from filing nominations, or subjected to forced withdrawals and bogus voting, according to Cheema.
The Supreme Court subsequently appointed a monitoring committee — headed by a retired judge — to supervise re-elections in 28 wards in Patiala, all 15 wards in Baghapurana, and 7 wards in Dharamkot. Cheema said this decision reflected a clear lack of confidence in the State Election Commissioner's ability to conduct free and fair elections.
Paddy Stubble Row Adds to Pressure on AAP
The SAD leader also turned his fire on Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann over the registration of criminal cases against farmers accused of burning paddy stubble. Cheema alleged that the Chief Minister had earlier promised no action would be taken against such farmers and that they would receive ₹1,500 per acre to manage stubble.
He alleged that surveillance drones were now being deployed to identify stubble-burning incidents, leading to FIRs against farmers. He demanded to know whether any formal notification had been issued for the promised ₹1,500 per acre compensation and when the amount would be released, alleging that the AAP government had failed to provide farmers either adequate machinery or the promised funds.
Broader Context
This comes amid persistent Opposition accusations that the AAP government in Punjab used state machinery to influence local body elections held in late 2024. The Supreme Court's intervention — ordering re-elections under judicial monitoring in three towns — marks a significant rebuke of the electoral process in the state. Notably, municipal elections conducted under a cloud of alleged coercion have been a recurring flashpoint in Punjab politics, and the apex court's oversight committee adds institutional weight to Opposition demands for accountability.
How the Punjab government responds to both the judicial mandate and the mounting political pressure from SAD will define the next phase of local governance in the state.
Point of View
A level of government that directly affects streets, drains, and daily civic life. The appointment of a retired judge to monitor re-elections signals that the court does not trust the existing electoral apparatus to self-correct. SAD's demand for the Election Commissioner's dismissal is politically motivated, but the judicial record now gives it institutional backing. What's missing from mainstream coverage is the systemic question: if a fact-finding commission and the apex court both found evidence of assault and bogus voting, what criminal accountability follows for those who orchestrated it?
NationPress
8 Oct 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Why did the Supreme Court set aside Punjab municipal elections?
The Supreme Court set aside the December 2024 Punjab municipal elections after a court-appointed fact-finding commission, headed by former Punjab and Haryana High Court judge Justice Nirmaljit Kaur, confirmed that Opposition candidates were physically assaulted, prevented from filing nominations, and subjected to forced withdrawals and bogus voting. The court found the nomination process and subsequent elections were severely affected by violence, intimidation, and obstruction.
What is the Akali Dal demanding from Punjab Governor?
The Shiromani Akali Dal has urged Punjab Governor Gulab Chand Kataria to dismiss State Election Commissioner Raj Kamal Chaudhari, alleging he ignored complaints about misuse of civil and police machinery. The party has also demanded that all officials who allegedly assisted the AAP government in manipulating the elections be held accountable.
Where will re-elections be held under Supreme Court supervision?
The Supreme Court has ordered re-elections under a monitoring committee headed by a retired judge in 28 wards in Patiala, all 15 wards in Baghapurana, and 7 wards in Dharamkot. The oversight reflects the court's lack of confidence in the State Election Commissioner to conduct free and fair polls.
What is the paddy stubble burning controversy involving Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann?
SAD leader Daljit Singh Cheema alleged that Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann had earlier promised no penal action against farmers who burn paddy stubble and committed ₹1,500 per acre for stubble management. He alleged that despite this, the AAP government is now using surveillance drones to identify stubble-burning incidents and registering cases against farmers, without having issued any formal notification for the promised compensation.
Who is Raj Kamal Chaudhari and why is he under scrutiny?
Raj Kamal Chaudhari is the Punjab State Election Commissioner, the official responsible for overseeing municipal and local body elections in the state. He is under scrutiny following the Supreme Court's observations that the December 2024 elections were vitiated by violence and obstruction, with the Akali Dal alleging he failed to act on complaints of misuse of state machinery during the polling process.
