Ashiya Bi wins municipal poll nearly two weeks after her death as supporters keep their pledge to back her as a sign of respect.
Qvive: India, the world’s largest democracy, recently witnessed a surprising turn of events in its local elections. Ashiya Bi, a woman who has passed away, emerged victorious in a contest that exposed the rampant corruption plaguing the country’s political system. This shocking incident has sparked debates, raised eyebrows, and left many questioning the integrity of the electoral process.
Corruption has long been a pressing issue in India’s political landscape. The influence of money, misuse of power, and other illicit practices have plagued elections, undermining the democratic ideals the country strives to uphold. The case of Ashiya Bi’s victory serves as a stark reminder of the deep-seated corruption prevalent in the system.
Ashiya Bi, a resident of a small town in India, tragically passed away before the local elections. Despite her demise, her name remained on the voter list and was unknowingly cast as a vote in her favor. Such incidents shed light on the glaring flaws within the electoral system. How could a dead woman emerge as the winner? Who was responsible for this oversight? These questions demand immediate answers and corrective measures.
The Impact on Public Trust
One of the most significant consequences of Ashiya Bi’s victory is the erosion of public trust in the electoral process. When citizens witness such egregious lapses in the system, their faith in democracy is shaken. The incident raises doubts about the authenticity of election results, leaving voters disillusioned and skeptical. Restoring this trust is crucial for the health of India’s democracy.
Al Jazeera: A woman won a local election in India almost two weeks after her death as supporters kept their pledge to back her in a sign of respect, officials said.
Ashiya Bi polled nearly 44 percent of the vote in the race for a municipal civic body seat in the Bijnor district of India’s most populous state of Uttar Pradesh this month, according to a report by the AFP news agency on Tuesday.
Bi fell ill, reportedly from an acute lung and abdominal infection, and died just 12 days before the poll. The popular 30-year-old first-time candidate was declared victorious posthumously.
Her husband informed election officials about the death, but district officer Bhagwan Sharan told AFP there was no procedure in place to remove her name from the ballot.
“Once the electoral process begins, it cannot be halted or paused,” Sharan said.
Before she passed away, Bi proved a major hit with voters, and many decided to cast their ballots for her anyway in a sign of respect and admiration.
“Ashiya made friends easily and people didn’t want to break the promise of support they gave her and hence the result,” resident Mohammad Zakir told the Times of India newspaper.
Her husband Muntazim Qureishi said Bi had “won hearts with her calm demeanour”.
“Our votes are a tribute to her,” the paper quoted another voter, Arif, as saying.
Source : Al Jazeera, Image- Aajtak, Thefrontierpost and Southasiatime
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