KOCHI: Asha Sanil of the UDF took office as president of the Ernakulam district panchayat on Thursday. B A Abdul Muthalib of the UDF sworn in as vice-president of the panchayat.
Asha polled 16 votes to win the president election, defeating LDF’s P S Shyla who won 11 votes. Abdul Kareem of the UDF proposed the name of Asha as the Front’s candidate for the Panchayat president’s post, which was supported by Rasiya.
The name of Abdul Muthalib for the vice-president’s post was proposed by C K Ayyappankutty, supported by Jancy George of the UDF.
After the election,District Collector M G Rajamanickam, who was the presiding officer, administered the oath to Asha. After the swearing-in ceremony, the Collector presented a floral bouquet to the new president.
Thrikkakara MLA Benny Behnan; District Cooperative Bank secretary N P Varghese; District panchayat former president Eldhose Kunnappilly; former vice-president Bindhu George; and former councillors M V Lawrance, V A Shajahan, Sajitha Siddique, Jincy Paul and K K Soman also attended the swearing-in ceremony.