Probe into ‘rigged’ medical council poll

MUMBAI: State minister Vinod Tawde on Wednesday started an inquiry into the election of a state representative to the Medical Council of India (MCI). There were allegations that postal ballots had been rigged and a bulk of them sent to influence the poll outcome.
An officer from Tawde’s office confirmed that an inquiry has been instituted. “Election results will be stayed till the inquiry ends,” he said.The directorate of medical education and research (DMER) that conducted the poll had received complaints alleging that the poll was rigged. Two doctors from Mumbai had alleged that around 3,000 ballots were posted from Nagpur in one day. Another complaint said that a bulk of 3,000 postal ballots came in from Dadar. One candidate also found out under RTI that 8,812 posts were booked within eight days.
Dr Girish Maindarkar, president of College of Physicians and Surgeons had won the poll. Five doctors were in the fray. “We only want a fair inquiry,” said Dr Suhas Pingle, state secretary, Indian Medical Association.