The State Election Commission (SEC) has annulled the election of the vice-president of the Kottangal grama panchayat in Pathanamthitta district of Kerala, citing procedural violations. The decision followed a complaint filed by the Social Democratic Party of India (SDPI), which alleged that the election held on December 27 was conducted in violation of statutory norms.
The 14-member panchayat comprises five United Democratic Front (UDF) members, five Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) members, three SDPI members, and one Left Democratic Front (LDF) member. During the election to the post of president held on the morning of December 27, the SDPI extended support to the UDF candidate, who was elected. However, the UDF president resigned soon after, declining the SDPI support.
The election to the post of vice-president saw candidates from the UDF, BJP and SDPI in the fray. Both the UDF and the BJP candidates secured five votes each, while the SDPI candidate polled three votes. The lone LDF member abstained from voting. With the top two candidates tied, the Returning Officer resorted to a draw of lots, following which the BJP candidate was declared elected.
Kerala Panchayat Raj Act
In its complaint, the SDPI alleged that the procedures prescribed under the Kerala Panchayat Raj Act were not followed. In the event of a tie, the rules mandate the elimination of the candidate with the lowest number of votes, followed by a second round of voting between the remaining two candidates. Instead, the Returning Officer proceeded directly with a draw of lots, the complaint pointed out.
It further noted that even if a draw of lots were permissible, the candidate in whose favour the lot fell must be declared elected. In this case, the lot reportedly fell in favour of the UDF candidate, yet he was excluded and the BJP candidate was declared the vice-president. Finding merit in the complaint, the SEC consequently annulled the election.
Fresh elections to the posts of president and vice-president will be held on January 21.
Published – January 18, 2026 05:21 pm IST
