Excelsior Correspondent
POONCH, Nov 19: Deputy Commissioner Poonch, Rahul Yadav has ordered re-polling in Upper Sanai Panchayat Halqa of Surankote after the complaint of theft of votes.
In a first incident of its kind, there has been `theft’ of 25 votes for election of a Sarpanch and the Deputy Commissioner Poonch requested the Chief Election Officer J&K to conduct re-polling in Surankote block. The election in Upper Sanai Halqa was held in the first phase on November 17.
Deputy Commissioner said that as reported by the Returning Officer, he had completed the counting of Panchayat Sanai Lower peacefully and declared the results accordingly. However, lastly he had started the counting of Panchayat Sanai Upper and the counting of all the remaining wards also ended peacefully. However, during the counting of votes of Sarpanch constituencies of Panchayat Upper Sanai, a person namely Irfan Ali entered the counting centre and Introduced himself as an employee of Rural Development Department and has been deputed for the collection of information of counting for onward submission to higher authorities.
Returning Officer also reported that the person found access to the counting table on the pretext of getting some information and be seated next to the counting table. The counting staff took notice of the incident and he was removed from counting centre immediately after that it was noticed that one bundle containing 25 votes of Sarpanch was missing.
The counting staff tried hard to reach out to the person, Irfan Ali (GRS) and brought him back in the counting centre with the help of village Chowkidar, the Deputy Commissioner said in the letter.
On the enquiry, it was revealed that the GRS is the real nephew of a contesting candidate and his indulgence in the disappearance of 25 votes cannot be ruled out.
“In this regard, registration of FIR against Irfan Ali GRS and Niaz Ahmed GRS has also been recommended and both the officials have also been placed under suspension. Moreover, additional Deputy Commissioner, Pooch had also been designated as enquiry officer who will conduct the enquiry into the matter and submit the detailed report within a week’s time,” the Deputy Commissioner said.
It is said that the re-polling is being held on Nov 29 at Sanai.
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