Standing committee election: Did not sign behind ballot paper, R Sreelekha's vote declared invalid

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The vote of BJP state vice-president and Sasthamangalam councillor R Sreelakha was declared invalid during the election of standing committee members of the Thiruvananthapuram Corporation. A technical error led to the vote being rejected. During the voting for the Town Planning Committee, Sreelakha failed to sign in the space provided behind the ballot paper where the name and signature were required. This resulted in the vote being declared invalid.

Elections were held for eight standing committees. The invalid vote occurred in the election to the Town Planning Committee, of which Sreelakha is also a member. Quorum was completed only in three committees. Elections to five standing committees will be held on Friday. These include the Finance, Development, Health, Public Works, and Education and Sports standing committees.

Sources said that BJP members are in the majority in the Welfare Committee, and hence, Vellar ward councillor V Sathyavathi is likely to become chairperson. Independent councillor M Radhakrishnan is expected to head the Town Planning Committee, while Nedumkadu ward councillor R C Beena is likely to become chairperson of the Tax Appeal Committee.

Apart from Sreelakha, the vote of CPM councillor R P Shivaji was also declared invalid on the same day. Shivaji’s vote was rejected during the election to the Tax Appeal Committee.