Mickky demands recount of votes in Betalbatim

MARGAO: rNewly-elected Betalbatim sarpanch, Constancio Miranda, who got elected from Ward No 2, deputy sarpanch Minu Antonio Fernandes, who was elected from Ward No 1, besides Nuvem MLA Wilfred D’Sa, have all rubbished Mickky’s allegations, arguing that a recount will not alter the results in these two wards. rAddressing the media, Mickky said the losing candidate from ward 1 Inacio Mariano Fernandes will file a petition before the Administrative Tribunal demanding a recount of votes in both ward 1 & 2 of Betalbatim Panchayat. “I have learnt from reliable sources that a government official played a role in fixing the result in ward 1 of Betalbatim panchayat. The officer has shifted a bundle of 20 votes from ward no 2 and shifted the votes into ward no 1,” he said. rHe said there was one ballot box for both wards 1 & 2, adding that in both the wards there were straight fights and the symbols were also the same. “I am demanding a recount of votes of the two wards since I have received information that a bundle containing 20 votes was shifted from ward 2 to ward 1, which led to the defeat of Inacio Fernandes,” he said. rWhen asked as to why it took him a week to come to the media, and that too on the day of the election of sarpanch and deputy sarpanch for the Betalbatim panchayat, Mickky replied that he was gathering information from his sources before going to the media. rBetalbatim sarpanch Constancio Miranda said he has won by a margin of 101 votes from ward 2. “I do not think that any mistake took place during sorting or counting of votes. In fact, votes polled in ward 1 were counted three times and there was no change in the result,”, he said. rDeputy sarpanch Minu Antonio Fernandes, who got elected from ward 1, said it will make no difference for him if Mickky has asked for a recount. “The presiding officer had conducted the counting in a legal and transparent manner. What Mickky has claimed is just an allegation. If Mickky cannot accept it, what can I do? If I was defeated, I would have sat at home by bowing to the wishes of the people,” he said. rCommenting on Mickky’s plan to seek a recount, Nuvem MLA Wilfred D’Sa said the former MLA is frustrated that he has lost control over his home village Betalbatim. “I do not know if Mickky has demanded a recount. Maybe he will ask for a recount for the next five years,” Wilfred quipped.