ECI further submitted that it forwarded the objections to the Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) of Punjab on July 14, 2026, directing him to conduct a comprehensive background inquiry and submit a detailed verification report. The affidavit further stated that reminders had been sent to the Punjab CEO and the verification report was still awaited.

It added, ā€œThe commission cannot be compelled by a writ of mandamus to bypass this inquiry...ā€