Jabalpur (Madhya Pradesh): A strange case of a dead panchayat election candidate has come to the fore in Kanjera panchayat of the Deori block.
The candidate for panchayat elections Ravinder Singh allegedly died 10 days prior to voting but his name was not removed from the ballot paper. Voting took place in the Panchayat on July 1 where the villagers voted him to victory and the late candidate won by 255 votes.
The Returning Officer is now unable to take any further decision in this matter and has sought the help of the State Election Commission.
TALE OF LATE ELECTION-WINNER:
Ravinder Singh Thakur (53), who was contesting the election of sarpanch from Kanjera panchayat, died of cardiac arrest on June 22. After his death, his family plunged into mourning.
The election officials also did not get any information about the candidate's death. Apart from Ravindra, two other candidates were also contesting the elections. When polling was held in the Panchayat on July 1, the villagers voted in favor of Late Ravindra Singh as sympathy and elected him as his sarpanch. Ravinder Singh got 512 votes out of 1043. Chandrabhan alias Chandan Ahirwar stood second (257 votes).
Ravindra Singh has been the Sarpanch of this Panchayat even before this. His sister-in-law Simlesh Surendra Singh has been the district president and his elder brother Surendra Singh has been the vice-president of the district panchayat.
"In such cases where the candidate dies before election, the family has to inform 72 hours in advance but the family did not inform. Had the notice been received 72 hours in advance, other ballot papers would have been printed. Guidance has been sought from the Election Commission in this regard. Till now the election results have not been duly announced. According to the instructions given by the commission, further decision will be taken," said Deepak Arya, District Election Officer.
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