Kullu, June 1
A controversy erupted in the Dhaugi Zila Parishad ward election in Kullu district after the result changed following a recount, with independent candidate Om Prakash Thakur alleging irregularities in the counting process.
Congress supported candidate Girdhari Chauhan was declared elected after recounting, prompting protests by Om Prakash Thakur and his supporters outside the Deputy Commissioner’s office in Dhalpur on Monday.
The protesters also raised slogans against the SDM Banjar and the Tehsildar, accusing election officials of mishandling the recounting process. A formal complaint was submitted to the Deputy Commissioner and District Election Officer, Anurag Chandra Sharma, seeking a fair investigation into the matter.
Speaking to reporters, Om Prakash Thakur claimed he had been declared the winner in the first round of counting. However, the result was later reversed following a vote recount.
He alleged that irregularities took place during the recounting exercise and accused officials of manipulating votes in favor of the Congress supported candidate. According to him, some valid votes cast in his favor were allegedly rejected during the process.
The independent candidate further alleged that recounting agents were changed during late night counting without proper transparency. He claimed that a small number of votes were shifted, resulting in the Congress candidate being declared the winner by a narrow margin.
Thakur said his demand for another recount and fresh verification of votes was not accepted by the authorities.
He demanded an impartial inquiry into the entire counting process and said transparency was necessary to maintain public confidence in the democratic system.
No official response from the district administration had been issued till the filing of this report.
