The State Election Commission has ordered fresh elections for the ward member seat of Ward No. 5 (Syog-5) in Syog gram panchayat under Sadar Development Block in Mandi district following the death of a contesting candidate. The election for the ward was earlier scheduled for May 26.
According to the official notification, Bhim Singh, son of Kishan Chand and a resident of Syog village, was contesting for the ward member post from Ward No. 5. He passed away on May 21. The information regarding his death was sent to the State Election Commission by the Returning Officer-cum-Sub-Divisional Magistrate (Civil), Sadar.
The notification stated that only two candidates were in the fray for the ward seat. Following the death of one candidate, only a single candidate remained in the contest. Under Rule 48 of the Himachal Pradesh Panchayati Raj (Election) Rules, 1994, if the death of a validly nominated candidate is reported before polling begins and only one candidate remains, the election process must be conducted afresh under the directions of the State Election Commission.
Based on these provisions, the State Election Commission has issued this notification. A separate schedule for conducting fresh elections in this ward will be announced by the commission later.
