A dramatic political shift occurred in Jeron Khalsa Nagar Parishad located in Niwari district of Madhya Pradesh, where local voters exercised their 'Right to Recall' against civic body president Kusum Pasthor. Following the election held on 4 November, counting of votes took place on 6 November, resulting in a majority voting to vacate the leadership seat. The mandate requires incumbent president Kusum Pasthor to step down from her office after losing the recall ballot to the 'empty chair' symbol.
Detailed Vote Breakdown and Counting Process
The counting of ballots commenced at 8 AM on 6 November at the Degree College venue in Prithvipur. Electoral officials structured the tallying process across two sequential rounds to manage the turnout from all 15 wards. In the initial phase, votes from polling centers one through eight were calculated, followed by the second phase covering polling centers nine through fifteen. Across the entirety of the 15 wards, a total of 4,800 citizens cast their votes to determine the leadership's fate.
When the final tally was completed, the option representing seat vacancy (the empty chair) received 2,633 votes. Conversely, the vote in favor of retaining president Kusum Pasthor (the filled chair) garnered 2,167 votes. Consequently, the choice to recall the president secured victory by a clear margin of 466 votes. With more than half of the 4,800 total cast votes siding with the removal option, the executive seat is officially deemed vacant.
Chain of Events Leading to the Recall Vote
The groundwork for this municipal recall election was established when 12 local councillors formally moved a no-confidence motion against President Kusum Matadin Pasthor. Following the introduction of the motion, statutory procedures mandated submitting the leadership challenge to a direct civic vote. Polling stations across all 15 municipal wards opened on 4 November, allowing local residents to express their stance on whether the incumbent should continue in her official capacity.
Official Administrative Statement and Next Steps
Outlining the election logistics, Returning Officer Vinita Jain confirmed that counting operations proceeded systematically in two distinct rounds. She stated that since over half of the 4,800 total votes favored vacating the post, the position will be treated as vacant according to governing rules. Returning Officer Vinita Jain noted that the official documentation and tally certification are being submitted to the District Election Officer for final validation and further instructions. Law enforcement operations during both voting and counting days were coordinated with support from the Superintendent of Police (SP) and the Sub-Divisional Officer of Police (SDOP) to maintain order.
