SAD alleges mass rejection of its candidates’ nominations for Samiti and Parishad polls; Demands extension of deadline
Babushahi Bureau
Chandigarh, December 6, 2025: The Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) on Friday alleged that nominations of its candidates for the Block Samiti and Zila Parishad elections were rejected on a massive scale across Punjab.
The party demanded that the deadline for filing nominations be extended in all areas where complaints of “highhandedness and discrimination” have been reported to ensure a free and fair election process.
Addressing a press conference, senior SAD leader Dr. Daljit Singh Cheema called for the appointment of independent observers for the polls and sought strict action, including charge-sheeting, against police and civil officials who, according to him, vitiated the election atmosphere by acting as “stooges” of the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) government.
He said the party would also submit the names of Returning Officers who allegedly acted in a partisan manner and rejected opposition nominations en masse, urging that they not be assigned duty during the 2027 general elections.
Dr. Cheema strongly criticised the State Election Commission (SEC), accusing it of failing to uphold democratic norms. “At a time when democracy is being murdered in the State, the SEC has chosen to look away. This raises serious questions about its integrity,” he said.
He also accused Patiala SSP Varun Sharma of directing police officials to prevent opposition candidates from reaching the Returning Officers’ offices through “illegal and unconstitutional means.”
He urged the SEC to direct Returning Officers to accept self-declarations on dues instead of rejecting nomination papers on “flimsy grounds.” He further requested that Block Development Officers adopt a transparent system for issuing No Due Certificates so candidates are not unfairly victimised.
Giving detailed figures, Dr. Cheema alleged widespread rejection of SAD candidates’ nominations. In Tarn Taran district alone, 41 out of 72 Zila Parishad seat nominations filed by SAD candidates were rejected.
For Block Samiti seats, he said 31 nominations were rejected in Tarn Taran, 37 in Gandiwind, 43 in Khadoor Sahib, 56 in Patti, 77 in Bhikhiwind, 56 in Valtoha, and 40 in Naushehra Pannuan—leading to a large number of candidates from AAP being elected unopposed.
He added that in Majitha, 12 SAD candidates were prevented from filing papers and the remaining 21 seats went to AAP unopposed. In Bhoa and Zira, no SAD candidate was allowed to file nomination, he claimed. In Raja Sansi, 25 of 35 SAD candidates were rejected, while in Baba Bakala, 18 nominations across 49 seats were turned down.
Dr. Cheema further highlighted rejection patterns in Fatehgarh Churian, Qadian, Jaitu, Ghanaur, Nurpur Bedi, Patran, Khanauri, Jandiala, and Ajnala, alleging widespread efforts to block SAD candidates and tilt the election in AAP’s favour.