Court declares disqualification of Rayagada Zilla Parishad president post

Rayagada: The District and Sessions Judge on Tuesday declared Rayagada Zilla Parishad president Purusottam Gamang’s post invalid after hearing a petition over alleged violation of election secrecy norms during the last panchayat polls.

According to sources, Muniguda Zilla Parishad member Ramchandra Behera had shown his vote to the agent of the Congress party rather than showing it to his own party agent during the 2017 panchayat elections.

However, the BJD Zilla Parishad member Gangadhar Puala opposed it and filed a petition at Rayagada District and Sessions Judge Court alleging violation of election rules.

The court made the hearing under the new amendment act and declared the election of the Zilla Parishadpresident post as invalid. The court has also directed for a by-election to the post.

“According to law, no one can show their vote to the candidate. As they have showed their vote and violated the secret ballot system the court has declared nullified the election to the Zilla Parishad president post,” lawyer of the petitioner, Braja Sunder Nayak said.

On the other hand Zilla Parishad president Purusottam Gamang has informed that he will challenge the decision in a higher court.

“The court has accepted the petition of Gangadhar Puala but we will challenge the order in the High Court.” Gamang’s advocate Maheswar Rao said.