The Punjab State Election Commission has ordered the registration of an FIR in connection with the missing ballot box controversy that erupted during the counting for Ward No. 6 of the Municipal Council election in Nangal.According to sources, while the Ropar district administration had initially recommended the suspension of the returning officer concerned, State Election Commission took a serious view of the incident and directed that an FIR be registered. The action came following a complaint submitted by BJP state vice-president Subhash Sharma, who alleged grave violations of election procedures.The controversy erupted immediately after polling concluded in Ward No. 6 of Nangal Municipal Council on May 29, when opposition parties alleged serious irregularities in the handling of ballot boxes. The Congress and BJP workers staged protests outside the polling station after reports surfaced that the presiding officer had allegedly transported the ballot box in his private vehicle instead of the government-arranged bus designated to carry election material to the strongroom.Subhash Sharma demanded registration of an FIR against the presiding officer and sought repolling in Ward No. 6, alleging that the sanctity of the electoral process had been compromised. Congress leader and former Speaker of Punjab Vidhan Sabha had also made a similar demand.Sources said the movement of the ballot box in a private vehicle triggered suspicion among contesting candidates and political parties, as election rules require all ballot boxes to be transported collectively in government vehicles arranged by the administration. The alleged deviation from the prescribed procedure led to tense scenes outside the polling station.The Election Commission has now ordered registration of an FIR in the matter. Confirming the development, SDM Nangal Sachin Pathak said the commission had directed that an FIR be lodged in the missing ballot box case.Meanwhile, BJP leader Subhash Sharma also alleged large-scale bogus voting in Ward No. 1 of the Nangal Municipal Council and demanded a thorough investigation into the complaints. The allegations have added to the political controversy surrounding the civic body elections, with opposition parties accusing the ruling dispensation of undermining the fairness of the electoral process. Opposition leaders have also filed petitions with the Deputy Commissioner of Ropar challenging the election results.