5 months ago
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KASARAGOD
Amid melodramatic scenes and protests implicit a United Democratic Front (UDF) subordinate being denied the close to vote, Left Democratic Front (LDF) campaigner Sabu Abraham was elected Kasaragod territory panchayat president connected Saturday. He secured 9 votes arsenic against 7 polled by the Congress’ J.S. Somasekara.
The predetermination began astatine 10.30 a.m. The contention erupted erstwhile UDF subordinate Irfan Iqbal, representing the Manjeswaram division, was not permitted to vote, triggering allegations by the UDF that she was deliberately prevented from participating successful the election.
District Collector K. Inbasekar said members were required to beryllium contiguous successful the hallway earlier the commencement of voting, arsenic per rules. Irfan Iqbal reportedly arrived 4 minutes precocious and was, therefore, denied introduction to the voting room. He maintained that the predetermination was conducted strictly successful accordance with the Representation of the People Act and the guidelines of the State Election Commission, dismissing allegations of procedural violations arsenic baseless.
A full of 9 LDF members, 7 UDF members, and 1 BJP subordinate were present. The BJP member, however, abstained from voting, resulting successful the LDF campaigner winning with a wide majority.
The predetermination proceedings were overseen by the Assistant Returning Officer and territory panchayat caput among others. Following the declaration of the results, the CPI(M)’s Sabu Abraham, representing the Kuttikol division, was sworn successful arsenic territory panchayat president. The oath was administered by the District Collector.
Meanwhile, UDF members and workers staged a protestation extracurricular the predetermination venue, alleging denial of antiauthoritarian rights. The territory medication reiterated that each actions were taken strictly successful accordance with established procedures.
