In an extraordinary turn of events in Assam’s panchayat elections, fate and fortune literally flipped in favor of two women candidates who won their respective wards through a coin toss after their contests ended in perfect ties with their opponents.
Purabi Rajkhowa from Nagaon district and Nalin Lekhathopi from Golaghat district emerged victorious through this rare tie-breaking method, which, though unusual, is perfectly legal under election regulations. The procedure caught both candidates and many election officials by surprise, as it’s seldom needed to resolve electoral outcomes.
According to a report, the coin toss was employed in accordance with election rules that permit this method when candidates secure an identical number of votes. The provision, though established in election protocols, remains largely unfamiliar to most candidates and officials alike until circumstances necessitate its implementation.
Lekhathopi, who contested from Ward No. 6 of Rangbong Gaon Panchayat in Golaghat, described the unexpected situation where she and her opponent Puja Paik each received exactly 130 votes.
Despite the surprising method of victory, Lekhathopi acknowledged the role of chance in her win: “It is only pure luck for which I won.”
In a parallel situation in Nagaon’s Raha area, Rajkhowa and her competitor Beauty Bhuyan found themselves deadlocked with 618 votes each in Ward No. 7 of Pramila Gaon Panchayat. Again, a coin toss determined the final outcome, with Rajkhowa emerging as the winner.
Her supporters have reportedly pledged to work toward establishing a corruption-free model panchayat, turning the chance victory into an opportunity for meaningful local governance.
The recent panchayat elections in Assam, conducted using traditional ballot papers, produced several closely contested races across the state, with some decided by margins as narrow as a single vote. In the broader political context, the results showed a strong performance by the BJP-led National Democratic Alliance, particularly in Upper Assam where the coalition dominated most seats.
