Why SC cancelled polls in 50 Punjab wards

The Supreme Court recently annulled elections in 50 municipal wards across Punjab, ordering new polls within six weeks following a serious investigation into electoral irregularities. Allegations included candidates being blocked from submitting nomination papers, documents being destroyed, and candidates facing physical threats.

The affected wards are located in Patiala and Moga districts. The court accepted the findings of a commission headed by retired judge Nirmaljit Kaur, which determined that the issues were not mere election disputes but raised doubts about fair contestation. Candidates were reportedly prevented from reaching nomination centers, had documents tampered with, and faced detention and threats.

Opposition candidates were often declared elected unopposed due to the lack of competition. The inquiry also uncovered bogus voting and booth-level irregularities. As part of the court's directive, a monitoring committee, including senior advocates and police officials, will oversee the re-election process to ensure transparency and fairness. The entire re-election process must be completed within six weeks.