Assam: Toss decides Panchayat President in Bongaigaon as deadlock stalls election

In a rare and unusual incident, the election for the president of Kolbari Gaon Panchayat under Abhayapuri subdivision in Bongaigaon district was decided by a coin toss, following a voting deadlock.

The incident occurred during the panchayat formation process in the Srijangram Development Block, as part of the larger reconstitution of local self-government bodies across the district.

Of the ten elected members of the Kolbari Gaon Panchayat, five extended their support to Bina Das, while the remaining five backed Jaymala Sarkar, resulting in a stalemate. With neither candidate securing a majority, the officials overseeing the process opted for a toss to break the tie.

The toss favored Bina Das, who was consequently declared the elected president of Kolbari Gaon Panchayat.

While the method may seem unconventional, it is legally permissible under certain procedural provisions in the absence of a decisive vote and is often used as a last resort when other consensus mechanisms fail.