Munish Sood
Mandi
An FIR has been filed against eight government officials, including an Assistant Returning Officer (ARO), following the disappearance of two ballot papers during the postal ballot process for the Panchayati Raj elections in Himachal Pradesh.
This issue emerged in the Kunihar region of Solan district, where the postal ballot and ballot paper writing activities commenced on May 16. In response to the missing ballots, the district administration promptly relieved all eight employees from their election responsibilities while an investigation is underway.
Officials reported that the lost ballot papers were designated for the Pradhan position from Ward No. 4 of Gram Panchayat Khanlag. The irregularity was identified during the electoral process, leading to immediate administrative intervention.
Given the critical nature of the ongoing Panchayati Raj elections, authorities have classified the situation as serious. The police have initiated an inquiry to ascertain whether the missing ballots resulted from negligence or deliberate wrongdoing.
The administration has pledged to take stringent measures against anyone found culpable, ensuring that all actions are directed towards maintaining transparency and integrity in the rural local body elections.
This incident has raised alarms within both political and administrative spheres, prompting officials to closely observe the developments as the investigation unfolds.
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