Heads or tails? Fate of 2 candidates sealed by a flip | Guwahati News
Guwahati: In a panchayat election where BJP is on the verge of securing another decisive victory, two women candidates — Purabi Rajkhowa and Nalin Lekhathopi— secured victories in two wards in Assam’s Nagaon and Golaghat districts through an unexpected method: a coin toss. As per election regulations, their fate was determined this way after both received an equal number of votes as their closest competitors — a rule about which neither the candidates had heard nor many of the election officials were aware. The panchayat elections, conducted via ballot papers, saw several nail-biting finishes, with some candidates winning by a single vote. Nalin, a contender from ward no-6 of Rangbong gaon panchayat in Golaghat district, faced fierce competition in a constituency with over 500 voters from diverse communities, including Karbi and adivasi groups. There were four candidates contesting for the post of ward member. “Me and my closest opponent got 130 votes each. The officials present in the counting hall faced a dilemma and consulted senior officials. Few hours later, we were called inside and toss was done with a coin. I was named the winner,” Lekhathopi told TOI, on Monday. Despite the unusual resolution, both Lekhathopi and her opponent Puja Paik accepted the result without dispute. “I have decided to carry forward works of my ward with the help of my opponent who got equal number of votes. It is only pure luck for which I won,” Lekhathopi said. A similar situation unfolded at Raha in Nagaon district, where Purabi Rajkhowa contested from ward no-7 of Pramila gaon panchayat. She and her rival, Beauty Bhuyan, both secured 618 votes, prompting another toss. “It’s a great feeling. With blessing of God and public, I emerged as winner through toss,” she said. One of her supporters said the poeple are with Purabi and their goal is to make a model panchayat free from corruption. “Despite all odds, our candidate won — it’s a blessing,” the supporter said, as celebrations erupted in the village.
