Stamped ballot papers found dumped at Dharampur school
Ambika Sharma
Tribune News Service
Solan, February 13
In a sensational revelation, a bundle of 25 stamped ballot papers, two sealed envelopes and an account sheet of the ballot papers relating to the recent Dharmapur zila parishad elections were found dumped along with the garbage of a counting centre at Government Senior Secondary School, Dharampur, this morning.
ZP candidate plans legal recourse
- Rajkumar Sharma, who lost the zila parishad poll from Darwa by 632 votes, is exploring legal options
- The highest number of 15 candidates contested the ZP election from Darwa
- Rajkumar Sharma polled the third highest votes while 262 votes were declared invalid
The counting of votes for the elections to all zila parishad wards and block samitis had taken place at this centre. A local resident, Ram Rattan, who was waiting for someone near the school, spotted the bundle.
He was surprised to see a bundle of 25 ballot papers polled in favour of zila parishad candidate Rajkumar Sharma from Darwa ward. Two sealed envelopes and poll-related papers were also found.
It has put a question mark on the poll process. Sharma, a resident of Patta village, also rushed to the spot. He had lost the elections.
DC, Solan, KC Chaman, said it was a serious issue. The police had been directed to investigate the matter and take action against the guilty. “As every candidate had a polling agent at the counting centre, no discrepancy could take place there. It seems that some mishandling had taken place. The record was supposed to be stored in the block development office after the completion of the poll process,” he added.
Congress spokesman Ramesh Chauhan, who reached the spot, said the district administration was apprised about the callousness of the polling staff. He said, “It is surprising how the assistant returning officer will account for the votes, if someone challenges the poll results before a court. It is also surprising how the account had been compiled.”
He urged Chief Minister Jai Ram Thakur to inquire into the matter and take strict action against those responsible for it.
“The BJP could use similar tactics in the MC poll in Solan to victory as officers are acting at its behest,” alleged Chauhan. Naib Tehsildar and the Dharampur police took the papers into custody while a probe was under way.
