India General Elections 2024: Punjab BJP complains against CS to CEO on MGNREGA workers forced to work on election day

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Punjab BJP on Saturday filed a complaint with the state Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) against the Chief Secretary and other erring officials for allegedly forcing MGNREGA workers to work despite there being a mandatory holiday throughout Punjab due to India General Elections 2024.

On the complaint by BJP Punjab to the CEO, the CEO directed all DCs to ensure to cast their votes. In a letter dated June 1 by Suneel Dutt Bhardwaj, Office Secretary, BJP Punjab Office, urged swift action be taken against the Chief Secretary & other erring officials of State of Punjab. It is further, prayed that those employed under the MGNREGA be allowed to exercise their right to vote in the State of Punjab.

BJP Punjab in a letter said, "It has come to our notice through various reports that individuals who are employed under MNREGA Scheme in the State of Punjab are being forced to work despite there being a mandatory holiday throughout Punjab in lieu of General Elections to Lok Sabha 2024 and other States for casting vote. Thus, the action of the department/ Government, is, in violation of the provisions of the Representation of People Act and the right to vote provided under the Constitution of India."

Notably, all 13 parliamentary constituencies of Punjab voted on Saturday in the last phase of the Lok Sabha elections. The seventh and final phase on June 1 witnessed voting in Gurudaspur, Amritsar, Khadoor Sahib, Jalandhar, Hoshiarpur, Nandpur Sahib, Ludhiana, Fatehgarh Sahib, Faridkot, Firozpur, Bathinda, Sangrur, and Patiala constituencies. The voting for the India General Elections 2024 was held across seven phases for 44 days from April 19 to June 1. The counting will be done and the results declared on June 4.

(With inputs from ANI)