Uttarakhand Unique case in Panchayat elections: Pradhan selected through ‘lucky draw’ after getting equal votes, questions being raised on the process

The counting of votes in the Panchayat elections in Kund village (Patti Dasjula) of Tehri district suddenly took a turn that no one had imagined. Both the main candidates for the post of Pradhan got equal votes and the matter reached the ‘lucky draw’. But as soon as the result came out, questions started being raised on the transparency of this process.

Candidate won through ‘lucky draw’ after getting equal votes

The losing female candidate Madhu Nautiyal has now made serious allegations on this process. Nautiyal alleges that after the counting of votes was completed, the SDM and the RO had first verbally declared her the winner. But then a relative of the opposing candidate Pyare Lal Nautiyal, Anda, came, who neither had the status of an agent nor any pass. After this, the RO himself took out a slip and declared the victory in the name of the other side i.e. Pyare Lal Nautiyal.

The candidate raised questions on the transparency of the process

Madhu Nautiyal has now raised questions on the transparency of this process and said that neither my consent was taken in the lucky draw, nor were both the slips shown. The RO himself took out the slips and declared the result. This is an insult to democracy. He also alleged that his election agent was deliberately kept away from the counting place, while a relative of the opposing candidate was given entry without an authorized pass.

Sub-district election officer ordered investigation

The matter reached Sub-district Election Officer Varuna Agarwal, who took it seriously and ordered an immediate investigation. Agarwal said that orders have been given to investigate the videography of the entire incident. If any irregularity is found at any level in the process, strict action will be taken. Madhu Nautiyal is demanding the administration to make the entire video footage of the lucky draw public. She says that if the process was transparent, no party would have objected.