Jaipur: Several wards across Rajasthan’s 309 urban local bodies saw contests so close that winners had to be chosen by lottery after rival candidates polled identical votes, officials of the State Election Commission said. Under election rules, when two candidates secure the highest and equal number of votes, the returning officer is empowered to decide the result through a draw of lots. The commission has not yet compiled the full list of candidates elected this way, as a ward-wise analysis of results from all 309 ULBs is still pending,” stated an election commission official.At least seven such cases have surfaced. In ward 13 of Laxmangarh municipality, Congress candidate Faiyaz Khatri and independent Mahbub Khan each received 332 votes. Khatri was declared elected after the lottery.In Khandela municipality, Congress candidate Ramgopal Yadav and BJP’s Vishnu Datt were tied at 352 votes. The draw went in favour of Yadav. In ward 18 of Sikar Municipal Council, RLP candidate Yunus and Congress nominee Sabir both secured 643 votes. Yunus won the seat through the lottery.Jhunjhunu district reported two such results. In ward 25 of Pilani municipality, independents Anita Kumari and Kiran Devi polled 119 votes each, with Anita Kumari emerging winner in the draw. In ward 7 of Bagad municipality, independent Sharad Kumar and BJP’s Sunil each got 167 votes. Sharad Kumar was declared elected.In Churu’s Ratangarh municipality, ward 29 produced another dead heat, with Congress’s Amit Chaudhary and BJP’s Radheshyam securing 247 votes each. Chaudhary won after lots were drawn.At Hanumangarh Municipal Council, independent Mukdar Ali and Congress candidate Akbar Ali both finished with 750 votes. Mukdar Ali was declared winner through lottery, highlighting how a handful of ballots, or none at all, shaped several local outcomes. The commission will confirm the final tally after scrutiny of all wards across Rajasthan.
