ECI Says It Received 'Very Sensitive' Separatism Input and Has Halted Waris Punjab De Registration

Overview

• The Election Commission told the Delhi High Court on Tuesday that it received a July 9, 2026, intelligence input alleging the outfit is rooted in separatism and was founded by people once detained under the National Security Act.
• The Punjab chief electoral officer had given a positive field verification on April 27, 2026, but the ECI ordered a fresh, comprehensive background inquiry after the July input and says that inquiry report is still awaited despite reminders.
• The ECI has filed affidavits saying it cannot be forced by a court writ to skip statutory checks and that registration under Section 29A of the Representation of the People Act must be completed before any party can be allotted a common election symbol.
• The petitioner applied for registration on January 22, 2025, and the commission has listed the case for consideration on January 11, 2027, leaving the party’s ability to run in the February 2027 Punjab polls unresolved.
• The party’s leadership links to late Deep Sidhu and jailed MP Amritpal Singh shape the probe and could influence voter choice and candidate lists if the ECI’s inquiry delays or bars registration before the election.