Police seek details of votes polled in Darwa ward

Tribune News Service

Solan, February 21

The police have asked the district administration to provide the details of votes polled in the Darwa ward during the recently concluded Zila Parishad poll. As many as 25 stamped ballot papers, two sealed envelopes and other material pertaining to the ward were found dumped outside a counting centre at Dharampur on February 13.

A serial-wise list of the dumped ballot papers has been prepared and it will be tallied with the record to ascertain whether these votes were counted.

DSP, Parwanoo, Yogesh Rolta said the probe could not be proceeded further till key information such as the total votes polled and those sealed were made available to the police. A request had been made to the Solan Deputy Commissioner to provide the same.

“The information will help ascertain whether the ballot papers found dumped were counted in the total votes polled by Rajkumar Sharma in whose favour they were found stamped. It is also yet to be ascertained why these ballot papers were not sealed along with other votes,” said Rolta.

Rajkumar Sharma, who had finished third in the Zila Parishad poll from Darwa ward, had lodged an FIR after the recovery of the 25 ballot papers stamped in his favour. Sharma alleged that there was a difference in the total number of votes shown to be polled and the number collected by him from various gram panchayats. The probe is being conducted by the Additional Deputy Commissioner. The statements of staff deputed at the counting centre were being recorded.

Complaint was lodged by candidate Rajkumar

Rajkumar Sharma, who had finished third in the Zila Parishad poll in Darwa ward, had lodged an FIR after the recovery of a bundle of 25 ballot papers stamped in his favour. A serial-wise list of the dumped ballot papers has been prepared to be tallied with the record to ascertain whether these votes were counted.