ECI rejects recount plea of 6 candidates in Bihar

Patna : Election Commission of India (ECI) has rejected applications of six candidates for recounting of votes in Bihar Assembly Elections.

Nail biting finish took place in 11 seats on November 10 and the margin between victory and defeat was less than 1,000 votes, as per ECI.

Six out of these 11 candidates, who were not satisfied with the counting, challenged the decisions of returning officers.

Narendra Singh alias Bogo Singh, the candidate from Matihani filed a complaint with ECI after Raj Kumar Singh of the Lok Janshakti Party defeated him with the margin of 333 votes. He has shouted for recounting of all EVMs, VVPATs and postal ballots.

Shakti Singh Yadav of the Rashtriya Janata Dal RJD also complaint with ECI seeking recounting of EVMs, VVPATs and postal ballots 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 with margin of 189 votes from Ramgarh Assembly constituency. Ambika has filed complaint to ECI seeking recounting of votes.

Similar complaint have also received from losing candidates (second position) of Parbatta, Dihari and Kurhani Assembly constituencies.

H.R. Srinivasa, the Chief Electoral Officer of Bihar said: "These applications are verified but their reasons are not turn genuine. Hence, under relevant sections of ECI rules, these applications are rejected for recounting."

"We have given reasons details to every candidates in written format," he said.

The candidates have already alleged ECI for taking sides to candidates of the National Democratic Alliance (NDA), many of them have been planning to challenge the decision of ECI in the court.

Earlier, the RJD and Congress have alleged that Chief Minister Nitish Kumar has applied pressure on returning officers of these constituencies.

IANS report with edits