Two women candidates for the post of Mukhiya whose nomination papers were canceled from the Paraswar Panchayat Scheduled Tribe seat of Bargarh block of the district have accused the election officer for personally scrutinizing the nomination papers. In this regard, the women wanted to submit an application to the election officer, but the election officer refused to accept the application. Both the women have written in their application that the scrutiny work done by the election officer of Bargarh block individually whereas it should be the rule that the scrutiny work should have been done collectively with all the candidates. It is also written that nomination papers were filed by three women Sushila Kujur, Rashmi Tirkey and Lalita Bakhala for the election of Mukhiya from Paraswar Panchayat, the native place of all three is in the state of Chhattisgarh but Returning Officer rejected the nomination papers of two Sushila Kujur and Rashmi Tirkey and the nomination paper of Lalita Bakhala was accepted, which is not fair. Through his application, they have demanded that the nomination paper of Lalita Bakhala should also be rejected.
District Election Officer cum Garhwa DC Ramesh Gholap said that he is the competent authority. Which nomination paper to accept Which to reject this power has been given to the Returning Officer by the Election Commission.
"Even after this, if there is any complaint, come to me in writing, I will see. I can't comment on what he ordered," he said.