The Punjab Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) unit on Sunday submitted a complaint to the State Election Commission and Director General of Police Gaurav Yadav, demanding postponement of Mudki Municipal Council elections in Firozpur district. The complaint cites large-scale violence, threats, obstruction in filing nomination papers and biased misuse of the police machinery.

In the complaint submitted by BJP office secretary Sunil Dutt Bhardwaj, the party has alleged that opposition candidates, including BJP candidates, were threatened, attacked and illegally prevented from filing nomination papers by anti-social elements supporting the ruling Aam Aadmi Party.

The BJP said that on May 16, armed supporters led by Gurpreet Singh Sekhon allegedly spread terror around the nomination center in Mudki, resulting in injuries to several candidates and supporters.

The party also alleged that local police officials remained mute spectators and failed to ensure a fair nomination process.

The complaint also said that the First Information Report (FIR) was filed on May 17 only after huge public protest regarding violence and obstruction near the enrollment center and it includes the names of about 300 unidentified people.

BJP has also demanded immediate removal and transfer of the officials concerned in Firozpur as well as an independent investigation into the entire incident.

The party has also demanded adequate security for the candidates, strict action against the culprits and giving opportunity to the candidates allegedly prevented from filing nominations.

The BJP said democracy cannot function in an environment of fear, intimidation and violence, and stressed that the fairness of the electoral process must be protected at all costs.

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BJP also urged the Election Commission to postpone the elections in Mudki until favorable conditions are restored for free and fair elections.

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