Gorakhpur-Faizabad Teacher MLC Polls: Counting Hits Day 2 Amid Boycott and Rigging Claims
Vote counting for the Gorakhpur-Faizabad teacher MLC seat enters day two amid boycott by SP and independent candidates over irregularity claims.
The high-stakes battle for the Gorakhpur-Faizabad teacher MLC election has entered its second day of counting, turning into a dramatic saga of shifting leads and serious allegations of electoral malpractice. As officials work through the complex process of transferring second-preference votes, the atmosphere remains tense due to a boycott by key contenders.
The Counting Process: Where It Stands
The counting operation commenced at 8:00 a.m. on October 27 at the Commerce Faculty of Deen Dayal Upadhyaya Gorakhpur University, following the opening of the strong rooms. Divisional Commissioner and Returning Officer Indra Vikram Singh has confirmed that the process is currently focused on the transfer of second-preference votes.
Under the specific rules of this election, candidates with the lowest vote counts are systematically eliminated, and their second-preference votes are redistributed to the remaining candidates. This continues until one candidate secures the required majority. If no one hits that threshold, the final remaining candidate may be declared the winner, pending approval from the Election Commission.
The Current Numbers
So far, 12 candidates have been eliminated from the race. The latest updates indicate a tight contest, with BJP candidate Dhruv Tripathi currently holding a lead of approximately 901 votes.
Earlier rounds revealed a fierce competition:
- Rajiv Yadav (Independent): 11,287 votes
- Dhruv Kumar Tripathi (BJP): 10,911 votes
- Dr. Sanjayn Tripathi (Samajwadi Party): 8,169 votes
Additionally, officials reported that 1,763 votes were declared invalid during the first two rounds of counting.
Controversy and Boycotts
Despite the official progress, the election has been marred by significant disruption. Both the Samajwadi Party (SP) candidate, Dr. Sanjayn Tripathi, and independent candidate Rajiv Yadav have boycotted the counting process, citing irregularities.
The conflict escalated when Samajwadi Party President Akhilesh Yadav took to the social media platform 'X' to voice his concerns. He alleged that a conspiracy is underway to ensure the defeat of the SP candidate through electoral malpractice.
Official Response and Security
In light of the boycott, the Election Commission has stepped in, requesting a formal explanation from the Commissioner regarding the candidates' decision to walk out of the process.
Meanwhile, District Magistrate Deepak Meena has ensured that the counting center remains secure. Media access is being strictly regulated, with still photography permitted only within specifically designated areas to maintain the integrity of the proceedings.