Punjab government to begin preparations for SGPC elections

AMRITSAR: Nearly four months after the directive issued by the Gurdwara Election Commission, the Punjab government on Wednesday announced the commencement of amendments and preparations for the electoral rolls for the forthcoming Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) elections.
The announcement was tweeted by the chief minister Bhagwant Singh Mann stating, “Important information regarding the long-awaited SGPC elections.The process of making new votes and correcting voter lists will start from 21 October 2023. Rest details soon."
Earlier in May, SS Saron, chief commissioner of the Gurdwara Election Commission, had written to the Punjab government for the preparation of electoral rolls for the SGPC elections.
Earlier known as the apex governing body for Sikh historical gurdwaras in India and abroad, the SGPC has seen a significant reduction in its jurisdiction since its establishment in 1920.
Its influence has primarily become confined to Punjab, especially due to the formation of separate gurdwara management committees by Sikhs in Delhi and Haryana.
Additionally, Rajasthan has its ad hoc committee, while Sikhs in Uttar Pradesh and Uttarakhand are in the process of forming a joint gurdwara management body.
Besides, there is also a distinct Sikh Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee in Pakistan which has a large number of historical Sikh religious places.
The SGPC’s general house comprised of 191 members out of which 170 are elected from different states while 15 members are nominated from across the country and 6 members include jathedars of five takhts and one head granthi of Golden Temple.
Thirty member seats are reserved for women in the SGPC’s general house.
Reacting to Mann’s announcement for the preparations for the voter lists for SGPC elections, SGPC president Harjinder Singh Dhami said that the government was responsible for conducting the SGPC elections.
He further said that instead of taking credit for preparing the voter lists for which the Gurdwara Election Commission had long back written to the Punjab government, the chief minister should let the government machinery follow the directions of the Commission.