25 stamped ballot papers found dumped in garbage at Dharampur; Congress alleges foul play
Ambika Sharma
Tribune News Service
Solan, February 13
In a startling revelation, a stamped bundle of 25 ballot papers, two sealed envelopes, and account of the ballot papers relating to the Zila Parishad polls of Dharmapur block were found dumped in the garbage of a counting centre at Government Senior Secondary school, Dharampur on Saturday morning.
The counting of all Zila Parishad wards, and block samite had taken place at this centre. A local resident, named Ram Rattan, happened to be waiting for someone near the school, and spotted the bundles.
Rattan was aghast to notice the stamped bundles were 25 votes in favour of a Zila Parishad candidate Rajkumar Sharma. Along with this, two sealed envelopes, and some other poll related papers were found in the garbage.
This has left a question mark on the process of the polls.
The votes were in favour of Rajkumar Sharma—a contestant from Darwa ward. Sharma had lost the poll.
Deputy Commissioner, Solan, KC Chaman said that this was a serious issue, and a gross negligence of the concerned staff has come to fore.
The police have been directed to investigate into the matter, and a requisite action would be undertaken against those found guilty.
“Since, each candidate has a polling agent at the counting centre, no discrepancy can take place at the counting centre. It seems, that some mishandling has taken place at the sealing section, and it is being enquired into. The record is supposed to be stored in the office of the block development officer after completion of the poll process,” added Chaman.
Congress spokesman Ramesh Chauhan reached the spot after receiving information from Ram Rattan. He said after they received information, the district administration was appraised about the callousness of the poling staff.
“Connivance of the polling staff has come to fore, and it was surprising how the assistant returning officer would account for the votes if someone challenges the poll results before a court. It was also surprising how the account had been compiled when a bundle of stamped ballot paper was found dumped openly,” said Chauhan.
Chauhan urged the Chief Minister Jair Ram Thakur to enquire into it, and take a strict action against those responsible, be it the assistant returning officer or the counting staff or anyone else, and he added that an example should be set to ensure, that people who insult the democracy are not spared.
“The ruling BJP is on the back foot as such tactics were aimed at benefitting their own candidate to attain electoral benefits in the panchayat polls. The ruling BJP could use similar tactics for the ensuing municipal corporation polls for Solan in order to win as officers are acting at their behest,” claimed Chauhan.
Naib Tehsildar, and Dharampur police rushed to the spot, and took the papers into custody while further probe was underway.
