Chandigarh, September 1:
Office of CEO Punjab informed that the Election Commission of India (ECI) has issued necessary directions regarding the facilitation of voting by Amritpal Singh, Member of Lok Sabha from 03-Khadoor Sahib Parliamentary Constituency, Punjab, who is also a member of the Electoral College for the ongoing Vice-Presidential Election, 2025.
Amritpal Singh is presently under preventive detention under the National Security Act, 1980, at Central Jail, Dibrugarh, Assam. In accordance with the provisions of Rule 26 of the Presidential and Vice-Presidential Elections Rules, 1974, the Commission has directed that a postal ballot paper be issued to him.
As per the prescribed procedure, postal ballot papers for electors under preventive detention are to be delivered only on the day of poll, and the sealed cover containing the marked postal ballot must reach the Returning Officer before the commencement of counting.
Accordingly, the Commission has instructed the Ministry of Home Affairs and the Chief Secretary, Government of Assam, to ensure that the sealed cover containing the postal ballot marked by Amritpal Singh is carried by a special messenger from Dibrugarh, Assam, by air, so that it reaches the Returning Officer well before 6:00 p.m. on 9th September 2025, the scheduled date for counting of votes.
The concerned authorities have been directed to immediately put in place arrangements for this purpose and keep the Commission apprised of the details.
