Jhunjhunu: Confusion and uncertainty loomed over Khatu Shyamji municipality in Sikar district till late Friday, as election officials refrained from declaring the results for the chairperson’s post, despite a directive from Rajasthan High Court. Sources said the returning officer has begun preparations for counting of votes Saturday.The court had ordered the result to be announced within 24 hours of receiving its certified order. Congress chairperson candidate Vinita Poonia, on whose petition the high court gave the direction, claimed to have submitted the order’s certified copy to Returning Officer Kapil Upadhyay Friday afternoon.Polling for the municipal chairperson took place on Sept 21, amid significant chaos, when Congress councillor Laxmi Devi failed to arrive at the polling centre before the voting period closed. The remaining 19 councillors cast their votes, but the absence of Laxmi Devi sparked allegations of her abduction. Family members and BJP protested outside the counting centre, claiming that she had been taken hostage by Congress members, leading to the extension of voting hours by the returning officer.Rajasthan High Court, in its ruling Thursday, clarified that votes of the 19 councillors who participated in the voting should be counted, emphasising that re-polling is permissible only under extraordinary circumstances such as booth capturing or riots—not due to a single voter’s absence.Despite the court’s instructions, returning officer Upadhyay remained tight-lipped and failed to disclose any information to the media regarding the election outcome Friday.Sikar Congress district president Sunita Gathala condemned the election officials for allegedly disregarding the court’s order, denouncing the perceived arbitrary functioning of the BJP-led state govt. Sikar BJP district president Manoj Batad, however, asserted the election process was being conducted impartially, without political bias.
