Sukhjinder Randhawa Urges ECI to Halt Akali Dal's April 12 Presidential Poll, Flags Legal Irregularities
New Delhi, April 10, 2025:
Congress MP Sukhjinder Singh Randhawa has written to the Election Commission of India (ECI) demanding an immediate intervention to halt the upcoming internal election of the Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD), citing “serious procedural and financial irregularities” in the party’s membership and electoral process.
In his letter dated April 8, Randhawa flagged concerns over the SAD's announcement to hold its presidential election on April 12 at Teja Singh Samundri Hall in Amritsar, a venue located within the premises of the Shiromani Gurdwara Prabandhak Committee (SGPC). The Congress leader argued that the use of a religious institution for a political party's internal election raises “serious questions of institutional impropriety,” and violates both the SAD's constitution and the norms laid down by the ECI.
“The SAD's registered office is in Chandigarh, and any such process should legally and ethically be conducted there,” the letter states.
Randhawa also raised red flags over the alleged lack of transparency in the party’s recent membership drive. “No macro-level data regarding enrolled members or collected membership fees has been disclosed. There is no clarity on the bank accounts where these funds were deposited,” he noted.
He further alleged that the list of elected delegates—who form the General Body responsible for electing the party president—has not been published, nor is there any record of when or how these delegates were selected.
The Congress MP added that a rival faction of the SAD is simultaneously running a separate membership campaign, escalating the possibility of legal conflict if the internal elections are held amid unresolved intra-party disputes.
Citing these developments, Randhawa urged the Election Commission to:
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Direct SAD to suspend its internal election scheduled for April 12.
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Require publication of a complete and verified list of elected delegates.
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Appoint a senior observer to monitor the party’s internal election process.
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Ensure elections are held only at the party’s registered office, not religious premises.
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Mandate that a No Objection Certificate (NOC) be obtained from the ECI before conducting internal elections.
Calling himself a “public-spirited citizen and whistleblower,” Randhawa urged the ECI to treat his identity with confidence and place the matter before the Chief Election Commissioner or the full Commission for urgent consideration.
“The sanctity of democratic processes within registered political parties must be upheld,” he concluded.