The United Democratic Front has alleged violation of Panchayati Raj Act in the recounting process and declaration of election result of the Ward 9 of Mezhuvely grama panchayat in Pathanamthitta district.
Addressing a press conference on Thursday, Vineetha Anil, Congress candidate in the ward, alleged that the declaration of election of her LDF rival, Joji Alex, was “stage managed'' by Adoor Tahsildar M.J. Jaisingh who did not have legal or official authority to interfere in the counting process.
In her petition to the State Election Commission, Ms. Anil alleged that though the total number of votes polled in the ward was 588, the ballot box contained only 586 votes. When counting was completed on Wednesday, both Ms. Anil and Ms. Alex were found to have polled 295 votes each, including postal ballots.
Though a recount was done following a demand by the LDF, the tally remained the same.
Ms. Anil said the UDF asked for conducting a draw of lots to decide the winner and the proposal was opposed by her rival.
Meanwhile, Mr.Jaisingh entered the counting centre and verified the ballots and took out an ink-stained ballot polled in favour of the LDF candidate from among the four votes that had been declared invalid and announced it was a valid vote, Ms. Anil alleged.
She alleged that Returning Officer Rachel David declared the LDF candidate elected from the ward in haste on the directives of the Tahsildar. Ms. Anil demanded action against the Tahsildar who allegedly ‘sabotaged' the counting process.
UDF district convener Peelipose Thomas alleged that the Tahsildar violated basic rules of the Panchayati Raj Act by entering the counting centre and meddling with the counting process without obtaining permission from the Election Commission.
The Tahsildar was supposed to look into law and order problems, if any, in his jurisdiction and he had nothing to do with the counting of votes, he added.
Mr.Thomas said the revenue official concerned had to retreat from another counting centre at Parakode, near Adoor, following opposition from the UDF against his “unauthorised entry and attempt to interfere in the counting process” there.
He said the Election Commission had directed the Tahsildar not to enter the counting centre at Konni where recounting of votes polled in the district panchayat division was progressing on Thursday.
Meanwhile, Ms. Rachel David, when contacted, denied any intervention by the Tahsildar in the counting process and said the decision on the invalid vote was taken by her.
District Collector S.Lalithambika told The Hindu that she was yet to receive any complaint against the alleged involvement of the Adoor Tahsildar in the counting of votes.
She said certain Revenue officials were given supervisory powers in connection with the counting of votes, adding that she was not sure whether the Adoor Tahsildar was entitled to enter the counting centre at Pandalam NSS College.
Mr. Thomas said the UDF would move the court against the violation of the Panchayati Raj rules.
