6,158 voters opt for NOTA in both segments

Akash Ghai

Tribune News Service

Mohali, May 23

As many as 6,158 voters opted for NOTA (none of the above) in the Mohali and Kharar segments here. The number is more than the votes polled by several candidates of various political parties and Independents.

In the Kharar segment, a total of 3,025 voters have pressed the NOTA button while the number of such voters in the Mohali segment is 3,133.

Shiromani Akali Dal (Taksali) candidate Bir Devinder Singh, who is also a resident of Kharar, failed to get the expected response from voters. Bir Devinder Singh, who was banking on votes mainly on the issue of sacrilege and his developmental agenda, got a total of 5,735 votes from Mohali district’s Kharar and Mohali segments. From the Mohali segment, he fetched 2,808 votes and the rest from the Kharar segment.

Similarly, CPI (M) candidate Rahgunath Sahai got mere 1,410 votes (819 from Kharar and 591 from Mohali) from both segments.

When asked about the reasons behind getting less number of votes, Bir Devinder Singh said it was shocking for him and his supporters.

Bir Devinder Singh said he was getting a number of calls from voters of the area, who were claiming that they had voted for him.

“The number of votes polled as NOTA than my total figure raises a suspicion,” said Bir Devinder Singh.

It is shocking for me and my supporters. I am unable to comment on my outcome. It seemed to be a massive technological sabotage. — Bir Devinder Singh, SAD (Taksali) candidate