2 hrs ago
Khatushyamji Municipality Elections Postponed After Late-Night Voting Dispute
The election for two important municipality posts in Khatushyamji was supposed to happen on Monday.
One Congress councillor, Lakshmi Devi, did not arrive to vote.
Officials extended the voting time several times so she could still participate.
The voting papers were eventually sealed after midnight.
The BJP and Congress disagreed about whether extending the deadline was proper.
Both sides held protests and submitted their demands to election officials.
The State Election Commission then told officials to postpone the election.
A new date or decision has not yet been announced.
Elections for Khatushyamji Municipality chairman and vice-chairman were postponed until further orders.
Voting was halted after Congress councillor Lakshmi Devi of Ward 10 failed to appear.
The 20-member municipality has eight BJP, eight Congress, three Independent and one RLP councillor.
The Returning Officer repeatedly extended voting, with records eventually sealed after midnight.
BJP and Congress supporters protested separately, while the State Election Commission ordered postponement.
- Who
- Khatushyamji Municipality councillors, including Congress councillor Lakshmi Devi, BJP candidate Prem Devi and Congress candidate Vinita Poonia, were involved.
- What
- The chairman and vice-chairman elections were postponed after voting was extended and then halted amid a dispute over Lakshmi Devi's absence.
- Where
- Khatushyamji Municipality in Sikar district, Rajasthan.
- When
- The dispute and voting process continued through Monday night, with records sealed after midnight.
- Why
- The Returning Officer postponed the elections following State Election Commission instructions amid disagreement over the absent councillor and repeated voting extensions.
Congress Position
BJP Position
Voting deadline extensions
Congress Position
Congress leaders objected to the repeated extensions and questioned the decision with the District Collector.
BJP Position
BJP leaders and supporters demanded that Lakshmi Devi be allowed to vote and supported extending the voting time.
Reason for the councillor's absence
Congress Position
Congress leaders challenged the handling of the polling process; allegations about Lakshmi Devi's absence were disputed and remain unproven.
BJP Position
BJP leaders alleged that Congress deliberately kept Lakshmi Devi away from voting.
Election process
Congress Position
Congress representatives submitted objections and demands to election authorities during the late-night uncertainty.
BJP Position
BJP supporters held a sit-in, contacted senior state officials and sought action regarding the voting process.
Key facts
- Municipality
- Khatushyamji Municipality, Sikar district
- Council composition
- 20 members: eight BJP, eight Congress, three Independents and one RLP councillor
- Majority needed
- 11 votes
- Chairman candidates
- BJP's Prem Devi and Congress's Vinita Poonia
- Absent councillor
- Lakshmi Devi, Congress councillor from Ward 10
- Voting result
- Lakshmi Devi won her ward with 172 votes, defeating BJP's Mamta Devi by 37 votes
- Election status
- Chairman and vice-chairman elections postponed until further orders
Sources
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