DSGMC Elections: 46 % voters cast votes to elect Gurdwara officials; Counting on March 1

NEW DELHI—The elections of Delhi Sikh Gurdwara Management Committee on February 26 witnessed casting of votes 45.7 % voters.  The election process completed peacefully with minor clashes on bogus votes in some wards.  Elections were contested by over 415 candidates of 4 parties, including Shiromani Akali Dal (Badal), Shiromani Akali Dal (Delhi), Sikh Sadbhawna Dal + Akaal Sahai Welfare Society and Panthik Sewa Dal.

Although the percentage of voting is being projected as a low percentage by media outlets but in fact it exceeded the last poll percentage by 3.7% when only 42 % voters had cast their votes in 2013. Out of the total 3.8 lakh registered voters in 46 wards, only 1.75 lakh casted their vote. The percentage of Sikh men and women who voted on Sunday was near similar —46% females and 45.5% males.

DSGMC former President Paramjit Sarna claimed his party would bag 34-36 seats out of 46, while DSGMC current General Secretary Manjinder Sirsa claimed of having a clean sweep with 42 seats.  Meanwhile, Bhai Baldev Singh Wadala claimed that votes of many voters were illegally removed from the voter lists.  He however expressed his gratitude and thanked the Sikh Sangat of Delhi for its support.

The counting of votes will take place on March 1 at five locations — ITI, Tilak Nagar; ITI (women), Vivek Vihar; ITI, Khichripur; Aryabhat Polytechnic at GT Karnal Road and Basic Training Institute at Pusa Road.

It is pertinent to note here that the DSGMC has an annual budget of Rupees One billion, a major portion of which is generated from donations at historical gurdwaras – Bangla Sahib, Sisganj Sahib and Rakabganj Sahib. Eighteen public schools run by the committee also add to its income.  The winning party will get control over not just the Gurdwaras in Delhi, but also these medical and educational institutes.

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