New Delhi: The Election Commission of India (ECI) has told the Delhi High Court that it received “grave and highly sensitive” inputs concerning Akali Dal (Waris Punjab De), warning that registering the organisation as a political party without completing the necessary inquiry could adversely affect India’s sovereignty and integrity.
In two affidavits filed before Justice Saurabh Banerjee, the poll panel said it received objections in July alleging that the outfit had “separatist roots” and raised concerns about its allegiance to India’s sovereignty, unity and integrity. The Commission said the allegations were being examined and that it was awaiting a detailed inquiry report from the Punjab Chief Electoral Officer (CEO).
The High Court has listed the matter for further consideration on January 11, 2027.
Why Has The Election Commission Raised Objections?
According to the affidavits, the Commission received the sensitive inputs on July 9 while the organisation’s application for registration was under consideration.
The objections alleged that the outfit was rooted in separatism and had been founded by individuals detained under the National Security Act (NSA). The EC said these concerns prompted it to ask the Punjab CEO to conduct a “comprehensive background inquiry” and submit a detailed report.
The Commission pointed out that the Punjab CEO had submitted a positive verification report on April 27. However, it said the subsequent objections received in July required further examination.
The detailed report from the fresh inquiry was still awaited, the EC informed the court. The allegations cited by the Commission remain matters under inquiry and have not been established as findings by the court.
Akali Dal (Waris Punjab De) Seeks Time-Bound Registration
The affidavits were filed in response to a petition by Akali Dal (Waris Punjab De), which has asked the Delhi High Court to direct the Election Commission to decide its registration application within a fixed period of one week.
The organisation had submitted its application on January 22, 2025, seeking approval for the proposed name and registration as a political party.
The EC said it had issued a deficiency letter in September 2025, giving the applicant 30 days to rectify the shortcomings. The corrected documents were submitted in January 2026, resulting in a delay of more than four months, according to the Commission.
The poll panel said it had also sent reminders to the Punjab CEO to expedite field verification. After receiving the positive report in April, it had taken up the application for consideration before the July objections prompted a further inquiry.
EC Cites Representation Of The People’s Act
The Election Commission argued that registering an organisation without completing inquiries into its commitment to India’s sovereignty and integrity would defeat the legislative purpose of Sections 29A(5) and 29A(7) of the Representation of the People Act.
It also opposed the petitioner’s argument that the delay could deprive it of a common election symbol for the upcoming Punjab Assembly elections.
The Commission maintained that registration under Section 29A was not a routine administrative formality and that it could not be compelled through a writ of mandamus to bypass an ongoing inquiry. It described the petition as lacking merit and raising no substantial question of law.
Who Founded Akali Dal (Waris Punjab De)?
Waris Punjab De was founded by late actor and activist Deep Sidhu and was later headed by jailed Khadoor Sahib MP Amritpal Singh.
In January 2025, Amritpal Singh’s father and Faridkot MP Sarabjit Singh Khalsa announced the formation of a political party under the name Akali Dal (Waris Punjab De).
The development comes ahead of the next Punjab Assembly elections, which are due in February 2027. The organisation’s registration application remains under consideration, with the Election Commission awaiting the Punjab CEO’s detailed inquiry report.
