Amritsar— The Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) will elect its next president tomorrow, November 3, at Teja Singh Samundri Hall inside the Golden Temple complex. The Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) is expected to once again support the incumbent, Advocate Harjinder Singh Dhami, while the rival faction is yet to officially announce its candidate.
According to sources, the Akali Dal (Panthak Surjit) faction may name Bibi Jagir Kaur as its contender either late tonight or early tomorrow. SGPC Chief Secretary Partap Singh, however, hinted that a consensus might emerge before the election. “There is a possibility that tomorrow’s election could conclude unanimously in favor of Advocate Harjinder Singh Dhami,” he said.
If consensus is not reached, the election will be conducted through a formal ballot process. The SGPC currently has 185 members — 170 elected and 15 nominated — but around 148 are expected to be present during the election session.
The SGPC holds two major annual sessions — one for electing office-bearers and another for passing the annual budget. This session has been called exclusively for the presidential election.
Partap Singh noted that if members agree on one name, there will be no need for voting. “Once the current president initiates the election process, members will propose candidates. If no alternate name comes forward, the president will be declared elected unanimously amid Sikh slogans,” he said.
The election is held under the spiritual guidance of Guru Granth Sahib, maintaining religious decorum. The Singh Sahibans from all five Takhts — Akal Takht Sahib, Keshgarh Sahib, Damdama Sahib, Huzur Sahib, and Patna Sahib — participate in the proceedings. While they do not vote, their presence ensures that the election is conducted in a peaceful and dignified manner.
Last year, Advocate Harjinder Singh Dhami was elected SGPC president for the fourth time, receiving 107 votes against 33 secured by Bibi Jagir Kaur. Once the new president is elected, office-bearers and executive members will also be appointed, usually through consensus.
