Tension gripped Ward No. 6 of the Nangal Municipal Council on Tuesday evening after opposition parties alleged serious irregularities in the handling of ballot boxes following the conclusion of polling.
Workers of the BJP and Congress staged protests outside the polling station after reports emerged that the presiding officer allegedly transported the ballot box in his private vehicle instead of the government-arranged bus designated for carrying election material to the strong room.
A large number of BJP workers led by Subhash Sharma, state vice-president of the party, gathered outside the polling station and raised slogans against the ruling AAP government. Sharma accused the state government of attempting to hijack the local body elections through unfair means.
Demanding strict action, Sharma said an FIR should be registered against the presiding officer and repolling ordered in Ward No. 6. “The sanctity of the electoral process has been compromised. The government must ensure free and fair elections,” he alleged.
Congress workers also reached the spot and joined the protest, raising slogans against the government and demanding transparency in the polling process.
Sources said the movement of the ballot box in a private vehicle triggered suspicion among contesting parties, as election rules reportedly required all ballot boxes to be transported collectively in a government bus arranged by the administration. Opposition workers strongly objected to the move, leading to heated scenes outside the polling station.
Sachin Pathak, SDM Nangal, who reached the spot following the protests, said the matter had been reported to higher authorities and action would be taken according to their directions.
Administrative sources indicated that authorities were considering recommending the suspension of the accused presiding officer pending an inquiry into the incident. Efforts were also reportedly underway to evolve a consensus among contesting candidates over the issue. Officials said repolling in Ward No. 6 could not be ruled out if consensus failed to emerge.
Meanwhile, BJP leader Subhash Sharma also alleged large-scale fake voting in Ward No. 1 of Nangal and demanded a thorough investigation into the complaints.
