High Court-Ordered Recount Declares Avinash Chandra Sarpanch in Fazilka Village
The sarpanch election in Dabwala Kalan village, located in the Jalalabad area of Fazilka district, has taken a dramatic and unexpected turn following a judicial intervention. A Punjab and Haryana High Court-ordered recount has completely overturned the original 2024 election result, leading to the official declaration of Avinash Chandra as the village sarpanch on Thursday.
Legal Battle Culminates in Victory
This decision marks the culmination of a protracted legal battle that began at the Sub-Divisional Magistrate (SDM) court, progressed through the district courts, and ultimately reached the High Court. The recount of Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) reversed the earlier outcome, where Avinash Chandra had lost to his rival, Harjit Singh, by a margin of 114 votes.
"People told me nothing would change, but I kept faith in the judiciary. Today, that faith stands reaffirmed," Avinash Chandra stated emotionally after his victory was announced. He revealed that villagers had initially urged him to contest the October 15, 2024, poll, but he was declared defeated under questionable circumstances.
Allegations of Rigging and Collusion
Avinash Chandra has made serious allegations regarding the conduct of the election. He claimed that the rival candidate, who is a teacher, and the presiding officer, also a teacher, "colluded" to manipulate the electoral process. According to his account, no proper counting of votes actually took place, and the result was simply announced without due procedure.
After his plea for a recount was rejected at the SDM level, Avinash Chandra approached the Punjab and Haryana High Court. The court directed that the votes be tallied afresh, leading to a surprising reversal. The recount showed that Avinash Chandra had, in fact, won the election by a margin of 77 votes, not lost as previously declared.
Celebrations and Calls for Accountability
Celebrations erupted in Dabwala Kalan village soon after the revised result was announced, with villagers expressing relief and joy at the outcome. Avinash Chandra emphasized that "truth has prevailed" and has demanded strict action against the officials whose role came under question during the recount process.
This case highlights the critical role of the judiciary in upholding electoral integrity in local governance. It serves as a reminder of the importance of transparent and fair electoral practices, even at the village level, and underscores the power of legal recourse in addressing alleged malpractices.
