Verdict is in: voters recall leaders of three urban bodies they elected

Last Sunday, exercising their franchise under a law that provides for recall of elected representatives of urban bodies, people cast votes to decide the fate of presidents of two Nagar Panchayats and a Municipal Committee. Of the 12,799 electorate, nearly 55 per cent turned out to vote.

The ballot papers had only two symbols — an empty chair and an occupied one. Voters had to opt for the ‘empty chair’ if they wished to recall the elected representative or put the seal on the ‘occupied chair’ if they wanted the person to continue.

Bharti Sonkar (Congress), president of Gunderdehi Nagar Panchayat, had to bow out of office after 1,977 voted for the “empty chair” as against 1,389 votes in her favour. Invalid votes totalled 59.

Sitaram Ganekar (Independent), who headed the Nawagarh Nagar Panchayat, lost the battle to remain in office after 1,146 votes went against him. Only 805 voted in in his favour while 72 votes were invalid.

Rajpur Municipal Committee president Koren Khalko (Congress) too could not retain his position as he was recalled by a margin of 73 votes. While Khalko polled 740 votes in his favour, 813 people voted for his recall.

Under the Chhattisgarh Nagar Palika Adhiniyam 1961, once an elected representative is recalled, the post falls vacant with immediate effect. Fresh elections to fill the post will be held within six months.