Karnataka HC sets aside Karnataka Congress MLA's election, orders recount

BENGALURU: Karnataka high court Tuesday set aside the election of K Y Nanjegowda , Congress MLA from Malur constituency in Kolar district, in the May 2023 assembly election after his key rival from BJP alleged irregularities, wrong tabulation, and procedural lapses in counting of votes.

Justice R Devdas directed Election Commission of India to take up vote recount within four weeks and declare the result afresh. However, considering Nanjegowda's request, the judge directed that the order be put on hold for 30 days to allow him to appeal before Supreme Court. In a keenly fought election that saw vote-counting extending into midnight, Nanjegowda defeated BJP's Manjunathgowda by a thin margin of 248 votes. Three days later, Manjunathagowda moved HC challenging the poll result. The BJP candidate claimed counting officials at Malur called him to say he had won elections, but result was declared in favour of Congress candidate.