Himachal: Proxy voting charge triggers row in Mandi

A controversy broke out during the Zila Parishad election in Tihra ward of Dharampur subdivision in Mandi district on Tuesday after allegations of proxy voting surfaced during polling. Candidate Ranjita Thakur and her polling agent Satish Kumar lodged a formal complaint with the Deputy Commissioner of Mandi and the Dharampur SDM, alleging that a fake vote had been cast in the name of another voter.

According to the complaint, the vote of Daksh Guleria, son of candidate Vandana Guleria, was allegedly cast by his driver. Daksh Guleria’s name reportedly appears at serial number 44 in the voter list. Ranjita accused the rival camp of resorting to proxy voting in an attempt to influence the election outcome and sought immediate intervention from the district administration.

Vandana Guleria is the daughter of former minister Mahender Singh Thakur. Following the complaint, Dharampur SDM Joginder Patiyal ordered an inquiry into the matter and directed the Naib Tehsildar and the Sector Officer concerned to visit the polling station and investigate the allegations.

Officials have started collecting details and verifying facts related to the disputed vote. The complainants have demanded cancellation of the allegedly fake vote and strict action against those responsible if the allegations are found to be true.

Meanwhile, Vandana Guleria rejected the allegations, describing them as politically motivated and part of a conspiracy by her opponents. The Tihra ward election witnessed a triangular contest between Vandana Guleria, Anita Thakur and Ranjita Thakur.

Mandi Deputy Commissioner Apoorv Devgan said there is a due process through which a candidate concerned or a polling agent can raise the issue of proxy voting with the presiding officer at the polling station if they have any suspicion regarding the identity of a voter. However, no such objection was raised at the time of voting, he added.