Punjab Zila Parishad Elections Date Challenged In High Court Alleging It’s Taking Place 11 Months Prior To Term

A plea has been filed before the Punjab & Haryana High Court challenging the date of elections to Zila Parishad announced by the Punjab Government, stating that it is taking place 11 months before the completion of its 5 year term.

The plea filed by Shri Mukhtar Sahib Zila Parishad Chairman Narinder Singh through Advocate Nikhil Ghai states that elections of all Zila Parishads have been directed to be held by 25 November in Punjab, being violative of Article 14 and 243-E of the Constitution and Section 166 and 209 of the Punjab Panchayati Raj Act, 1994, as the term of the reduced by almost eleven months.

It seeks directions to State to re-direct elections for Zila Parishad by re-issuing notification under section209 of Punjab Panchayati Raj Act, 1994 by specifying different dates for elections for different Zila Parishads in compliance with Article 243-E of the Constitution of India and Sections 166 of the Punjab Panchayati Raj Act, 1994 so that the petitioner as along with other members of various Zila Parishad can complete their full term of five years. 

The plea also seeks to stay the election of all the Zila Parishad which has been scheduled in November.

On August 31, in a plea challenging the dissolution of the Panchayat in the state, the Punjab Government  informed the High Court that it will withdraw the notifications which dissolved Gram Panchayats in the State. However, the state submitted that the elections scheduled for Gram Panchayat, Zila Parishad, Panchayat Samiti will take place as per the schedule.

Case Title: Narinder Singh v. State of Puniab & others

Counsel for the petitioner: Advocates Nikhil Ghai & Paras Talwar