Gonda (UP): Authorities in Gonda district in Uttar Pradesh are perplexed over the election result of a Ksetra Panchayat seat where a dead candidate has defeated his ‘alive' opponents.
Rangilal, who died 3 days before the polling, won the Panchayat seat in Mujehna development block, defeating his other three competitors. The polling in the area took place on October 13.
Locals flocked the polling booths to ensure a win for Rangilal with record margin. While Rangilal secured a total of 643 votes, his nearest rival Rajkumar could only manage 61 votes.
After the election results, his supports held a condolence meeting to mark the victory in the poll.
According to reports, after the death of Rangilal, the locals had demanded cancellation of the polling but as it was not done they polled in his favour to ensure his victory.
District Magistrate and Returning Officer Ajay Kumar Upadhaya said since there is no provision of cancellation of voting in the event of death of a candidate in Panchayat elections, polling was held as per the schedule.
Guidelines have been sought from the State Election Commission in this regard, the Returning Officer said.
(With inputs from PTI)
