The Dzongkhag Election Dispute Settlement Body in Tsirang levied a fine of Nu 3,750 on the incumbent Tsholingkhar Gup. This is for giving the complainant grounds to file a complaint against him. During the Dhamngoi Zomdu on March 3, the gup was seen mingling with the voters.
Following this, the complainant, one of the aspiring National Council candidates who did not get through the nomination process, lodged a complaint to the Dispute Settlement Body.
The Election Dispute Settlement Body in line with the Election Act, also warned the gup to avoid giving any reasonable grounds to construe support, opposition or dislike to any candidate contesting in the upcoming elections.
For the complainant, a warning was issued for negligence. He did not report the matter to the dispute settlement body despite having doubts of the gup trying to divert the voter’s attention even before the Dhamngoi Zomdu.
However, the body established that the gup, at that time, was discharging his official duties. Both the parties were also reprimanded for causing undue disadvantage and havoc to the voters.
The case was registered last week. The gup was alleged of diverting the voter’s attention to the selected candidate and asking the complainant Nu 25,000 as a bribe. Due to such, the complainant claimed of losing the nomination process.
He also said, he respects the electoral procedure and thus, have no qualms over the selection results.
However, the gup refuted the allegations. He said the money asked was on returnable basis. It was not to favour or disfavour during the Dhamngoi Zomdu. The gup also clarifed that he instead gave genuine advices to the candidate for regarding the Zomdu but, the latter took it in negative sense.
