Sat Dec 27 15:08:35 UTC 2025: Summary:
The Parali grama panchayat in Palakkad, India, saw its president and vice-president positions decided by a draw of lots due to a tie in the election. K.T. Ushakumari of the Left Democratic Front (LDF) won the presidential draw, while K.S. Ajit of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) secured the vice-presidency through the draw. The LDF and BJP each hold eight seats in the 21-member council, with the United Democratic Front (UDF) holding five. A UDF ballot was declared invalid during the first phase of voting, leaving them with only four votes.
News Article:
President and Vice-President Positions Decided by Lottery in Palakkad Panchayat
PALAKKAD, INDIA – December 27, 2025 – In a rare turn of events, the leadership of the Parali grama panchayat in Palakkad was determined by a draw of lots after a tied election. K.T. Ushakumari of the Left Democratic Front (LDF) was selected as president, while K.S. Ajit of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) secured the vice-presidency, both through the lottery system.
The unusual situation arose from a closely contested election in which the LDF and BJP each hold eight seats in the 21-member panchayat council. The United Democratic Front (UDF) holds the remaining five seats. During the initial voting phase, the UDF saw a setback when one of their ballots was declared invalid, reducing their voting power.
With both the LDF and BJP securing an equal number of votes in the subsequent election, the final outcome for both the president and vice-president positions was left to chance. The decision marks a significant moment for the Parali grama panchayat, highlighting the fine balance of power between the leading political factions in the region. The newly selected leaders are expected to begin their term immediately.
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