PATNA, Nov 13: Election Commission of India (ECI) has rejected applications of six candidates who sought recounting of votes for the recently concluded Bihar Assembly Elections.
As per ECI, 11 seats are such where nail-biting finish took place during counting on November 10 and the victory margin was less than 1,000 votes.
Six of these 11 candidates are not satisfied with the counting and they have challenged the decisions of the returning officers.
Narendra Singh alias Bogo Singh, the candidate from Matihani has filed a complaint with the ECI after Raj Kumar Singh of the Lok Janshakti Party defeated him with a margin of 333 votes. He has sought recounting of votes, including VVPATs and postal ballots.
Shakti Singh Yadav of the Rashtriya Janata Dal RJD also complained with the ECI seeking recounting after he lost election to Krishna Murari Sharan of Janata Dal-United with the margin of just 12 votes.
Sudhakar Singh of RJD defeated Ambika Singh of Bahujan Samaj Party by 189 votes from Ramgarh Assembly constituency. Ambika has filed complaint with the ECI seeking recounting of votes.
Similar complaint have also been received from losing candidates (second position) of Parbatta, Dihari and Kurhani Assembly constituencies.
HR Srinivasa, the Chief Electoral Officer of Bihar said: "These applications are verified but the reasons cited for recounting are not genuine. Hence, under relevant sections of ECI rules, these applications are rejected."
"We have given detailed reasons to every candidates in writing," he said.
The candidates have accused the ECI for taking sides of the candidates of the National Democratic Alliance (NDA), many of them have been planning to challenge the decision of ECI in court.
Earlier, the RJD and Congress have alleged that Chief Minister Nitish Kumar had put pressure on returning officers of these constituencies. - IANS
