Election Commission stalls Waris Punjab De registration, cites sensitive inputs
New Delhi: The process to register the organisation “Waris Punjab De” as a political party has, for now, been held up. The Election Commission has filed an affidavit in the Delhi High Court stating that a detailed inquiry is being conducted because of sensitive information received about the organisation’s alleged separatist links. According to the Commission, these inputs raised questions about the organisation’s activities and its commitment to India’s sovereignty, unity and integrity.
The Election Commission told the court that the Chief Electoral Officer of Punjab had given a positive verification report regarding the organisation on 27 April 2026. However, on 9 July, the Commission received fresh information alleging that the organisation’s roots were linked to separatism and that it had been founded by people who had been detained under the National Security Act (NSA). After this, on 14 July, the Chief Electoral Officer of Punjab was directed to conduct a comprehensive background check and submit a detailed report. According to the Commission, the report has not yet been received despite several reminders.
The matter is linked to a petition filed by “Akali Dal (Waris Punjab De)”, in which the organisation sought a time-bound decision on its registration application submitted on 22 January 2025. The organisation is being led by Khadoor Sahib MP Amritpal Singh, who is currently lodged in a jail in Assam. The formation of this political party was announced in January 2025 by Amritpal Singh’s father and MP Sarabjit Singh Khalsa.
The Commission said that registration of a political party under Section 29A of the Representation of the People Act is not merely a formal process. Registration cannot be granted without completing an examination of aspects related to national sovereignty and integrity.
The bench of Justice Saurabh Banerjee has listed the matter for further hearing on 11 January 2027. For now, no final decision has been taken on the organisation’s registration.
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