:dateline:In the by-election held for three vacant posts of Chief Khalsa Diwan on March 25, Dr. Santokh Singh was elected as the president. He defeated his rival S. Rajmohinder Singh Majitha by a difference of 10 votes. Chief Khalsa Diwan is a century old charitable-cum-educational body.
Dr. Santokh Singh, who is considered close to former Charanjit Chadha’s faction, secured 152 votes while his rival Rajmohinder Singh of Bhag Singh Ankhi’s faction secured 142 votes. Third candidate S. Dhanraj Singh, who is acting president of Chief Khalsa Diwan, could secure only 65 votes. Similarly, Charanjit Chadha’s faction also bagged the vice-presidency post with election of Sarabjit Singh.
Surinder Singh Rumalian Wale of Bhag Singh Ankhi’s faction was elected of Honorary Secretary of Chief Khalsa Diwan. He defeated his rival Santokh Singh Sethi by a difference of 3 votes.
Sikh24 has learnt that 364 out of total 511 members of Chief Khalsa Diwan used their voting right while the voting right of some members was annulled by the Election Officer. News of voting by apostate members during this election also came to fore but the Duty Magistrate Lakhwinder Pal Singh Gill said that the apostate members were barred from voting in this election.
Interacting with media after getting elected as a President of Chief Khalsa Diwan, Dr. Santokh Singh said that he will work for the betterment of educational institutions being run by Chief Khalsa Diwan. He added that religious competitions among students of 4th to 10th standard will be begun soon and the winner students will be offered free education for 10+1 and 10+2. “I will constitute a special committee to stop exploitation female workers in CKD run institutions” he added.
It is pertinent to note here that the elected candidates will serve for less than a year as the main election of Chief Khalsa Diwan is due for February-2019.
