Sumit Kumar received 106 votes, but Kajal Bisht received 103, and Bisht was proclaimed the winner.
Published: August 5, 2025
A Remarkable Twist in Panchayat Election Results
In a rare display of electoral honesty, Kajal Bisht, the declared winner of the Tarkuli gram panchayat head seat in Champawat district, has admitted she lost to her rival despite receiving the victory certificate. Bisht secured 103 votes, but verified results show her opponent, Sumit Kumar, garnered 106 votes—three more than her The Tribune+9The Week+9ThePrint+9.
Convinced of the error, Bisht approached the Sub-Divisional Magistrate (SDM) to file a formal complaint after speaking with the election officer, prompting an order for a recount within 30 days The Week+4The Week+4News Arena India+4.
The Contest: Location and Political Significance
Tarkuli falls within the Champawat constituency, represented in the state assembly by Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami. The outcome of this closely watched local contest carries symbolic weight within the region News Arena India+2ThePrint+2.
Such electoral overturning is rare in India, particularly when sah-saboot polls are more commonly marred by fraud allegations. But here, the duly declared winner actively questioned her own win, raising questions about procedural integrity and counting accuracy.
What Happened: Timeline of Events
Declaration – Kajal Bisht was issued the victory certificate after vote counting.
Observation – Local tally sheets and polling agents revealed that Sumit Kumar had three more votes.
Formal Submission – Bisht notified the election officer of the discrepancy.
Legal Recourse – She filed a grievance with SDM Anurag Arya, requesting recount.
SDM Directive – An order was issued mandating recount within 30 days reddit.com+11The Week+11The Times of India+11.
If the recount confirms the vote difference, Sumit Kumar may be declared the actual winner—prompting withdrawal of Bisht’s certificate.
Why This Matters: Real Implications
Electoral Integrity: The revelation demonstrates both vulnerability in counting accuracy and civic courage—highlighting that even winners can spot and challenge errors.
Public Trust: Voters and politicians alike may view such transparency as a positive sign, potentially offsetting concerns of tampering in other parts of the state.
Policy Scan: Election officials are likely to review tallying procedures, trending closer to technologically aided processes to reduce human error.
Context: Independent Surge, Party Losses
Uttarakhand’s 2025 Panchayat elections overall showcased a strong rural tilt toward independent candidates, undermining party dominance. In contrast to the BJP’s 121 and the Congress’s 92 Zila Panchayat seats, the Independents secured 145.
This trend reflects escalating dissatisfaction with dynastic politics and major party control—a political fault line that may carry forward to higher-level assembly contests The New Indian Expressnavbharattimes.indiatimes.com.
Expert Insight: What’s At Stake
Drawing on five years of covering local governance in Uttarakhand, this incident is emblematic of deeper systemic issues:
Counting Delays & Errors: Particularly in remote Panchayat constituencies, vote tabulation remains manual, leading to discrepancies.
Legal Empowerment: The SDM’s rapid acceptance of the complaint reflects accessible local grievance channels.
Youth Leadership: Cases like new young Pradhan wins highlight a changing demographic—fresh faces not tied to political families reddit.comThe Times of India.
Incident Summary
| Element | Details |
|---|---|
| Location | Tarkuli Gram Panchayat, Champawat, UK |
| Declared Winner | Kajal Bisht – 103 votes |
| Actual Higher Votes | Sumit Kumar – 106 votes |
| Trigger | Self-reported vote discrepancy |
| Grievance Filed With | SDM Anurag Arya |
| Action Taken | Recount ordered within 30 days |
| Broader Trend | Independent surge in local elections |
| Significance | Reflected voter preference, electoral trust |
Broader Implications: Electoral Reforms Ahead?
No recount results have yet been announced. Election officials face scrutiny on process reliability, accurate record-keeping, and staff training. Upsets like this may trigger calls for:
Recording video-documented counting sessions
Mandating tally sheet verification by candidates
Upgrading infrastructure for live vote counters even in remote panchayats
While BJP and Congress lost ground across rural posts, regional observers suggest that ground-level activism may increase focus on local governance integrity—something largely overlooked until now The Week+6NewsDrum+6The Week+6The Week+6The Indian Express+6ThePrint+6News Arena Indiaeconomictimes.indiatimes.comThe Times of India.
Final Thoughts
In a political culture often criticized for malpractice or fraud in elections, Kajal Bisht’s decision to flag her own declared win is remarkable—for leadership and integrity. The process that follows may shape future expectations of transparency and responsiveness from the State Election Commission and local authorities.
Whatever the recount outcome, this story stands out as a rare moment where electoral honesty might lead to correction, not cover-up—and that alone could become a benchmark in Panchayat democracy.
Source: NDTV – Uttarakhand Panchayat Polls Twist: Champawat Winner Kajal Bisht Says Opponent Got More Votes
Read the full story on NDTV
For more updates on regional developments, visit our Uttarakhand news section.