Bhopal (Madhya Pradesh): The principal bench of Madhya Pradesh High Court in Jabalpur on Saturday ordered the State Election Commission and Narsinghpur District Returning Officer to recount votes cast in panchayat elections.
The court ordered that the exercise be completed within two days from the date of submission of the copy of the order.
“The fact that on July 14, 2022, result has to be declared, this petition is disposed of directing State Election Commission and District Returning Officer to do the needful and if application for recounting of votes is found in accordance with the procedure as prescribed under MP Panchayat Nirvachan Niyam, 1995, then appropriate decision be taken thereof and be communicated to the petitioner,” High Court order stated.
The petition was filed under Article 226 of Constitution whereby the petitioner Chandrawati Keer, wife of Bhaiyaji Keer, had assailed the arbitrary and reluctant attitude of respondents as they did not accept the request of petitioner for recounting of votes. The petitioner is resident of Pondi village in Gadarwara tehsil in Narsinghpur district.
The petitioner contested election for the post of Sarpanch of Gram Panchayat Niwari, Tehsil Gadarwara, in Narsinghpur district. The counting took place on June 25, 2022 and application was submitted by the petitioner on June 26, 2022, for recounting of votes. The petitioner said several irregularities were committed during the course of counting.
Petitioner’s Advocate Satyendra Jyotish said, “Petitioner lost the panchayat election by 5 votes. So, the petitioner filed for recounting and HC instructed the State Election Commission and District Returning Officer to do it within two days.”
Government’s counsel said the application was submitted by the petitioner for recounting under Rule 80 of MP Panchayat Nirvachan Niyam, 1995.
