BHAJNO Vs. BIMLA DEVI

JUDGEMENT

(1.) THE appeal is against the order of the Election Tribunal declaring the 1st respondent herein as lawfully elected in the election for the post of Member Panchayat in village Pandori Beet, Tehsil Garshankar.

(2.) IN the Panchayat election held on 26.05.2008, the petitioner and the respondents Nos.1 to 3 before the Election Tribunal were in fray contesting for two seats reserved for Women General Candidates. The results were announced declaring the appellant here-Bhajno (1st respondent before the Election Tribunal) as duly elected. The tally of votes as declared was that Bhajno had polled 85 votes, while the person challenging the election, Bimla Devi had polled 84 votes. The respondents No. 2 and 3 had polled lesser number of votes and they are not necessary for enumeration.

(3.) BHAJNO had filed her objection denying the contentions raised by Bimla Devi and the parties went to trial on the basis of the rival contentions where it was required to be found whether the allegation of malpractice as contended by the petitioner has been established. It was also to see whether votes, which were validly cast had been wrongly assigned as invalid votes and whether the petitioner, who was reported to have polled 94 votes was wrongly declared as polled only 84 votes.