Dead candidate wins Panchayat election in UP

Gonda (UP), Nov 2: Rangilal, a Panchayat election candidate who died three days before polling day, has been elected as a member of Ksetra Panchayat after defeating his "alive" opponents in Dharmai village here.

Rangilal, who was one among the four candidates in fray for the Panchayat seat in Mujehna development block, died three days before the October 13 polling, District Magistrate and Returning Officer Ajay Kumar Upadhaya said today. But 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, Upadhaya said.

In the counting of votes undertaken yesterday, Rangilal won by a handsome margin, polling a total of 643 votes, while one Rajkumar, who came second, got 61, he said. Guidelines have been sought from the State Election Commission in this regard, the Returning Officer said.

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. They also held a condolence meeting to mark the victory in the poll, reports added.

PTI