Chandigarh, October 25, 2024: Today marks the final day for filing nominations in the upcoming Punjab Vidhan Sabha by-elections for four constituencies: Dera Baba Nanak, Chabewal, Giddarbaha, and Barnala.
Voting for these by-elections is set for November 13, with results scheduled for announcement on November 23.
The nomination process, initiated on October 18 with the release of the official gazette notification, will conclude today. Scrutiny of the nominations is slated for October 28, and candidates have until October 30 to withdraw.
Voting will take place from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m., with the entire by-election process expected to be completed by November 25.
In a substantial development, the Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) has decided to abstain from contesting these by-elections. The decision was finalized in a meeting held in Chandigarh today, chaired by SAD’s working president Balwinder Singh Bhundar, with input from district presidents and party leaders.
The boycott decision follows an October 22 meeting between an SAD delegation and Giani Raghbir Singh, Jathedar of Sri Akal Takht Sahib. SAD leaders had appealed for a resolution on the political involvement of Sukhbir Singh Badal.
However, Jathedar Raghbir Singh declined to lift the restrictions preventing Badal from political participation, citing that his obligations as a “salaried person” remain unfulfilled.
Moreover, allies of Amritpal have also opted out of contesting in these by-elections.
