Patna, Oct 26 (PTI) The opposition Rashtriya Janata Dal on Monday urged the chief electoral officer of Bihar to issue strict guidelines to ensure fair and transparent counting of votes in eight legislative council seats slated to be held on October 27.
Polling for the biennial elections saw an 82.85 per cent voter turnout in four teachers’ constituencies and 53.42 per cent in as many graduates’ constituencies. A total of 150 candidates are in the fray.
On the eve of the counting, RJD state general secretary Mukund Singh wrote a letter to Bihar Chief Electoral Officer Vinod Singh Gunjiyal seeking a “uniform criteria” to determine the validity of ballot papers, proper scrutiny of doubtful votes and strict prohibition of unauthorised markings on ballots.
The letter was signed by several leaders of the opposition party, including MLA Bhai Virendra. Later, a delegation of RJD leaders visited the CEO’s office and handed over the letter to officials.
The opposition party also sought restrictions on access to violet pens used for marking preferences while voting, saying this would help prevent possible tampering with ballot papers.
“The Supreme Court’s scrutiny of the 2024 Chandigarh mayoral election highlighted serious concerns over unauthorised markings on ballot papers and the process of declaring votes invalid. Therefore, it must be ensured that the original condition of ballot papers is preserved during counting and that no unauthorised interference takes place,” the RJD said in the letter.
“No counting officer, staff member or election agent should be permitted to make any additional mark, signature, line, tick, cross or other symbol on a ballot paper, except where expressly permitted under the applicable election rules. The original condition and integrity of ballot papers must be preserved.”
A controversy had erupted during the 2024 mayoral polls when the then presiding officer, Anil Masih, was caught on camera invalidating eight ballot papers which were in favour of the AAP-Congress.
The matter had then reached the Supreme Court, which overturned the result of the Chandigarh mayoral poll in which the BJP candidate had won.
The RJD also called for proper documentation of objections raised by authorised election agents, preservation of CCTV footage and videography, and reconciliation of counting records before the declaration of results.
It urged the Election Commission and the officials concerned to ensure impartiality and accountability throughout the counting process. PTI PKD NSD
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