As many as 43 of the 111 postal ballots were rejected during the counting held for the Mangalore City Corporation council on Monday.
According to official sources, as many as 177 government officials on election duty opted for postal ballots. Of them only 111 exercised their right. During the counting only 68 ballot papers were found to be in order.
Five ballot papers were rejected in Derebail North ward, three in Kankanady, two each in Padavu West, Maroli and Alape South. One ballot paper each was rejected in Kunjatabail, Mannagudda, Kodailbail, Bejai, Kadri East, Shivabagh, Padavu Central, Mangaladevi, Bolar and Jeppu wards.
Officials on election duty, Defence personnel posted in different parts of the country and electors under preventive detention are allowed to exercise their right to cast their votes through post. According to rules, those casting their votes through post have to submit their declaration of being an elector of the ward he/she belongs. This declaration has to be attested by a Magistrate or any other authorised person. This declaration has to be sent along with the ballot paper in the prescribed form by the Election Commission. The ballot paper should reach the returning officer before the date of counting.
Official sources said some ballot papers have been rejected because of absence of attestation by the magistrate or the authorised person. A few ballot papers were rejected as it had not been returned in the envelopes provided by the Election Commission for the purpose. Some ballot papers have been rejected where there are marks other than the one showing the candidate he/she has chosen.
“These rules are known to officials casting votes. But still errors continue and they are rejected,” said an official involved the election process.
Radhakrishna, councillor from the Derebail where five ballot papers were rejected, said three ballot papers were rejected as it was not accompanied by declaration.
