The Punjab and Haryana High Court has taken a significant step by admitting a petition that challenges the recent ward delimitation process and raises serious questions about the scheduled caste population figures used for the upcoming Panchkula Municipal Corporation elections. This legal development comes amid growing concerns over electoral fairness and representation in the region.
Court Issues Notice, Sets February 18 Hearing Date
In a move that has captured political attention, the court has formally issued notice to all respondents involved in the case. The next date for hearing has been firmly scheduled for February 18, 2024, as confirmed by Congress leaders during a press conference held on Thursday. This judicial intervention marks a crucial phase in addressing the alleged irregularities that have surfaced in the electoral preparation process.
Congress Leaders Highlight Major Anomalies
Addressing media representatives, Congress leaders presented detailed allegations regarding what they describe as major anomalies in the reservation of wards and the scheduled caste population data that formed the basis for the delimitation exercise. The press conference served as a platform to voice these concerns publicly, bringing the matter to broader public scrutiny.
Discrepancies in SC Population Figures
MP from Ambala, Varun Choudhry, along with former councillors who have jointly moved the plea, pointed out startling inconsistencies in the scheduled caste population numbers. According to their submission, the SC population in Panchkula was documented as approximately 47,223 in 2020. However, this figure was mysteriously reflected as only 29,212 after the delimitation process was completed.
This substantial discrepancy of nearly 18,000 individuals has raised fundamental questions about the computation methodology and data integrity behind the delimitation exercise. The petitioners have emphasized that such variations cannot be ignored when they directly impact electoral representation and reservation policies.
Reduction in SC-Reserved Wards
The petition further argues that the number of wards reserved for scheduled castes has been unjustly reduced from four to three following the delimitation. This reduction, according to the petitioners, directly affects the representation of SC communities in the municipal corporation, potentially diluting their political voice and participation in local governance.
Alterations in Women and Backward Class Reservations
Beyond the SC reservation issues, the Congress leaders and petitioners have raised additional concerns about changes made to reservations for women and backward classes. They claim these alterations were implemented without any transparent or logical basis, creating further doubts about the fairness and objectivity of the entire delimitation process.
Boundary Redrawing Without Municipal Limit Changes
While the total number of wards in the Panchkula Municipal Corporation remains unchanged at twenty, the petitioners have highlighted another critical issue. They contend that ward boundaries were extensively redrawn despite there being no corresponding changes to the municipal limits themselves.
This boundary restructuring without territorial expansion or contraction has sparked serious doubts about the fairness and necessity of the delimitation exercise. The petitioners question whether these changes serve genuine administrative purposes or represent arbitrary adjustments that could influence electoral outcomes.
Questioning Data Sources: Parivar Pehchan Patra vs Census
A fundamental challenge raised in the petition concerns the data sources used for determining population figures. The plea specifically questions the reliance on Parivar Pehchan Patra (family identity card) data for establishing population statistics.
The petitioners argue that such administrative datasets, while useful for certain governmental functions, cannot and should not substitute official census data—especially when the 2011 Census remains the last officially conducted enumeration in India. With the next national census scheduled for 2027, the use of alternative data sources for electoral delimitation raises significant constitutional and statistical concerns.
Next Steps and Broader Implications
The matter is now poised for detailed hearing on February 18, where both sides will present their arguments before the Punjab and Haryana High Court. This case extends beyond Panchkula alone, potentially setting important precedents for how delimitation exercises are conducted and what data sources are considered valid for determining electoral boundaries and reservations across the region.
The outcome could influence municipal election processes not just in Panchkula but throughout Punjab and Haryana, emphasizing the critical importance of transparent, data-driven, and fair electoral preparation mechanisms in India's democratic framework.
