Shimla: Noida based Foundation for Advanced Management of Elections (FAME) has declared the much hyped election to the state committee of Indian Youth Congress in Himachal Pradesh in which Vikramaditya Singh, son of union minister Virbhadra Singh, had secured maximum votes as null and void.
Concluding that the 22 year old Vikramaditya had violated the code of conduct laid down for the youth congress elections; FAME has directed holding election for the state committee afresh.
Vikaramaditya has also been debarred from contesting the re-election.
The election to the youth body that the union minister’s son had won by a thumping majority was declared null and void because there was no level playing field during the elections and FAME had received complaints from several voters and candidates alleging serious violations.
“Pending a detailed enquiry the result was withheld but votes polled by each candidate were allowed to be announced,†SP Jhingon, treasurer FAME let Hill Post know.
“Going into the complaints, a detailed enquiry was held and it was concluded that Virkramaditya Singh stands in violation of the code of conduct laid down for IYC elections,†he said.
Re-election will be held under strict supervision of FAME observers on a convenient date,†he added.
Indian Youth Congress (IYC) and National Students Union of India (NSUI), the youth outfits of Congress party, have entered into an memorandum of understanding with FAME for conducting a free and fare poll all over the country for these organisations
“Its not the first time that election of an high profile candidate has been set aside by FAME,” said Jhingon
In the election held in November Vikramaditya had polled 5919 votes whereas his nearest rival Raghubir Bali, son of former minister GS Bali had polled 2343 votes.
The sitting president of youth congress Manmohan Katoch had polled only 457 votes.
File Photo: Amit
As Editor, Ravinder Makhaik leads a team of media professionals at Hill Post.
Spanning a career of over two decades in mass communication, as a Documentary Filmmaker, TV journalist, Print Media journalist and with Online & Social Media, he brings with him a vast experience. He lives in Shimla.
