HASSAN: An invalid ballot paper caught the attention of people at the counting centre in Hassan on Friday as a voter had written ‘420’ (cheaters) besides the names of the candidates in the fray for the Satyamangala Gram Panchayat election which falls in Hassan taluk. The voter had written ‘All Are 420’ in English on the ballot paper.
When counting was taken up by the officials concerned at Government Arts College in Hassan town, they found the ballot paper of ward number 2 of Satyamangala Gram Panchayat wherein a voter had voted for all candidates besides writing ‘420’ at the side of the names of the candidates.
The matter was brought to the notice of higher-ups and the vote was declared invalid. Seven candidates were in the fray for the seat which has the highest voters in the district. Of the seven, five were females and two males. The Gram Panchayat went for polling on May 29. Satyamangala Gram Panchayat has 45 seats and has about 15,000 voters.
