This is an archive article published on July 15, 2023
Bengal panchayat polls: In seats up in the air, coin toss is deciding fates
SEC final results awaited, tens of seats are estimated to be tied on votes between two candidates; Opp fears ruling TMC has unfair advantage in “manipulating” the same.
3 min readKolkataUpdated: Jul 15, 2023 02:55 PM IST
Of the results that are in as of now, 267 gram panchayats and 13 panchayat samitis are staring at hung results, and the prospect of a toss to select pradhans and up-pradhans. (Express file photo by Partha Paul)
Bengal panchayat polls: In seats up in the air, coin toss is deciding fates
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After the many twists and turns of the West Bengal panchayat elections, it is fitting that more than a handful of results would come down, literally, to this: a toss of the coin.
While the State Election Commission (SEC) is yet to come out with the final figures, sources in the panel said that at least 344 seats in gram panchayats and panchayat samitis were decided by flipping a coin, after two candidates were tied on the number of votes.
As per Rule 3, Sub-Rule (7) of the West Bengal Panchayat Act, 1975, if two candidates get the same number of votes in a seat, the choice is made “by lot in such a manner as the Presiding Officer may deem fit”.
A toss is also used to decide the election of a pradhan or up-pradhan if two parties in a gram panchayat are tied on the number of votes. West Bengal is yet to reach that stage as the final tally is still being made for the three-tier elections, involving 70,000-plus seats, which voted using the ballot paper.
Of the results that are in as of now, 267 gram panchayats and 13 panchayat samitis are staring at hung results, and the prospect of a toss to select pradhans and up-pradhans.
With the results not yet in, and the Calcutta High Court putting curbs on their announcement till it has dealt with several poll petitions, a long wait seems likely.
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A senior Panchayat Department official said that seats being decided by a toss was nothing unusual in rural polls. “Earlier, under the Left and the Congress regime too, a toss would be held, and in some cases, the ruling party manipulated the result. But, under the TMC regime, if there is a tie, in almost all the cases, the ruling party wins that seat or the gram panchayat.”
BJP leader Samik Bhattacharya said, “The situation in West Bengal is unprecedented. You cannot expect any practice of democracy. There is only grabbing of power by any means. Things have reached such a pass that people have begun seeking out BDOs and police officers to protest against them.”
Congress leader Soumya Aich said that the TMC had “manipulated” the results in many counting centres. “Police teams went to some winning candidates and snatched their certificates, with everything happening under Nabanna’s (the state Secretariat’s) supervision. So, it is clear that the TMC will not wait for a tie.”
However, TMC leader Joyprakash Majumder said, “These are all baseless allegations and cannot be substantiated. Forming a panchayat or samiti is an administrative task, and they will do so as per the law.”
Atri Mitra is a highly accomplished Special Correspondent for The Indian Express, bringing over 20 years of experience to his reporting. His work is characterized by deep regional knowledge and a focus on critical administrative and political developments, establishing strong Expertise and Authority in his domain.
Experience
Current Role: Special Correspondent, The Indian Express.
Decades of Experience: Over two decades of extensive reporting experience, primarily covering administration and political news.
Geographical Focus: Holds significant reporting experience from West Bengal, Bihar, and the North-East, providing a comprehensive understanding of the socio-political landscape in these regions.
Key Coverage: Has dedicated more than ten years to covering administration and political news, with a keen focus on political developments in West Bengal.
Electoral Reporting: Demonstrated a commitment to crucial political moments, having covered the 2009 Lok Sabha election and 2010 assembly elections during his time at Anandabazar Patrika, and the 2019 Bihar Lok Sabha election while working with News18-Bangla.
Career Foundation: Began his career at the leading vernacular daily Anandabazar Patrika, where he worked for more than fifteen years, including a three-year stint as the Bihar correspondent.
Education
Advanced Degree: Holds a Master's degree in Economics from Rabindrabharati University, providing an analytical framework for his political and administrative reporting.
Undergraduate Education: Holds a Bachelor's degree from Calcutta University.
Prestigious Alumni: His educational background includes attending esteemed institutions: he is an alumnus of St. Xavier's, Kolkata and Ramakrishna Mission Asrama, Narendrapur.
Atri Mitra's decades of dedicated reporting, substantial focus on political and administrative beats, and solid academic credentials make him a trusted and authoritative source for news and analysis from Eastern and North-Eastern India. ... Read More
