Asif Iqbal
Kupwara, Dec 10 : Just two days into the announcement of results for the District Development Council, Drugmulla constituency, Sajad Gani Lone led Jammu & Kashmir Peoples Conference backed candidate on Saturday moved an application to seek ‘re-counting of votes’ and to look into alleged ‘ruckus created’ during the counting of votes here on Thursday last.
JKPC District Kupwara Media Incharge Adv. Rahil Dar told GNS that the the candidate has in her application made mention in the averments about ‘missing of 58 votes during counting process’. “The candidate has asked the district administration to look into it as to where have these many votes gone”, he said, alleging further “there even was a ruckus created by the supporters of a particular candidate at the counting centre.”
“The district administration has been asked (in the application) to take help from CCTV footage to substantiate these facts highlighted by the candidate”, Dar said.
Dar further said that the district administration authorities have assured the candidate that an independent enquiry will be conducted into the matter in the coming few days. “Until there is any outcome of the enquiry, the oath ceremony will not be held”, the candidate has been assured by district administration, as per Dar.
When contacted over the development, Deputy Commissioner Kupwara Dr. Doifode Sagar Dattaray responded in affirmative about the receipt of application for recounting for votes. “We have received the application today only, once we verify it, a decision will be taken accordingly”, he said.
Notably, Independent candidate Advocate Aamina Majeed defeated her nearest rival, a Peoples Conference backed candidate Shabnam Rehman by a thin margin of 39 votes.
It is also worth to mention here that the polls were held afresh after a hiatus of almost two years as the State Election Commission declared the then held elections as null and void over ‘dubious credentials’ of two contesting candidates. (GNS)
