MOHALI – The State Election Commission (SEC) of Punjab has officially halted the general elections for the Kharar Municipal Council. The decision comes in strict compliance with recent directives issued by the Punjab and Haryana High Court.
According to an official communication from the SEC, the ongoing election process—including the filing and scrutiny of nomination papers—has been terminated with immediate effect.
High Court Intervention Disrupts Election Timeline
The sudden postponement follows a High Court order dated May 15, 2026, in the case of C.W.P. No. 14752 of 2026 (Kulwant Singh vs. Government of Punjab). The legal dispute reportedly centers around grievances regarding the inclusion of voters from specific areas adjoining the Kharar Municipal Council limits.
Confirming the development, Mohali Deputy Commissioner-cum-District Election Officer, Komal Mittal, stated that the administration moved swiftly to enforce the SEC’s instructions the moment the judicial decree was issued.
“In compliance with the High Court’s orders, the current election process stands cancelled. Public notices regarding the postponement have already been prominently displayed at the offices of the Kharar Municipal Council and the Returning Officer,” Mittal said.
Next Steps for Candidates and Voters
The administration has assured stakeholders that standard protocols are being followed to minimize inconvenience:
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Nomination Fee Refunds: Candidates who had already submitted their papers will be permitted to withdraw their nomination fees in accordance with standard Election Commission guidelines.
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Future Schedule: The election process remains frozen until the Local Government Department of Punjab issues a fresh notification addressing the boundary and voter roll discrepancies.
Local authorities have urged residents and political aspirants to monitor official channels for further updates regarding the revised polling schedule.
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