In a notable departure from past trends, the Sikh voter registration for the upcoming Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) elections has experienced a dramatic decline. As of July 25, 2024, the number of registered voters stands at approximately 27.87 lakh, a significant drop from the 52 lakh registered voters in the previous election held in 2011.
Despite multiple extensions to the registration deadline—initially set for November 15, 2023, then extended to February 29, 2024, April 30, 2024, and finally to July 31, 2024—the response has been tepid. The decline in registration is attributed to a variety of factors, including diminished relevance of the SGPC, the cumbersome voter registration process, and the impact of migration.
The registration numbers reveal a stark disparity across different regions. SBS Nagar has the lowest registration with just 25,090 voters, followed by Pathankot at 26,023. In contrast, Gurdaspur leads with the highest registration at 3,22,128, closely followed by Ludhiana with 3,13,737 and Amritsar with 3,02,536 voters.
The SGPC, often referred to as the mini-Parliament of the Sikh community, has not held elections since 2011 due to prolonged legal disputes. The same elected members have continued to hold their positions over this period, leading to concerns over governance and representation.
Former Jathedar of Takht Sri Damdama Sahib, Giani Kewal Singh, attributed the low voter turnout to a series of controversial decisions by the SGPC and the Akali Dal (SAD), which has significantly eroded trust within the community. Singh highlighted a general dissatisfaction with both the SGPC and the Akali Dal, noting that the party’s lack of engagement in facilitating voter registration has further contributed to the decline.
Kiranjot Kaur, an SGPC member, criticized the government’s registration process as overly complex and poorly communicated. She noted that the absence of adequate publicity and the frequent changes in ward delimitation have caused confusion among potential voters. Moreover, the requirement for in-person registration with identity proofs has been a deterrent, particularly for the elderly and women, exacerbating the situation.
The registration process mandates that applicants be ‘sabat surat’—maintaining unshorn hair and beard—and be at least 21 years old as of October 21, 2023. Those who trim their hair, consume tobacco or alcohol, or otherwise do not adhere to Sikh codes of conduct are excluded from participating.
The current scenario reflects a growing disinterest and disenchantment among the Sikh community with the SGPC’s functioning and the Akali Dal’s political maneuvers. With voter registration numbers falling sharply, the upcoming SGPC elections will test the community’s engagement and the effectiveness of the electoral process moving forward.
