Karnataka High Court orders reverification of 279 rejected postal ballots in elections held to Sringeri Assembly constituency

The High Court of Karnataka on Monday directed the Returning Officer (RO) to re-verify the 279 rejected postal ballots polled in the elections for Sringeri Assembly constituency in April-May 2023.

Justice R. Nataraj passed the order while partly allowing a petition filed by defeated BJP candidate D.N. Jeevaraja, who had challenged the legality of the election of the Congress’ T.D. Raje Gowda, who had won by 201 votes.

The RO, depending upon the outcome of the re-verification of 279 rejected postal ballots, will have to undertake recounting of the postal ballots, the court said.

Meanwhile, the court kept the order for reverification in abeyance for two weeks on a plea made on behalf of Mr. Rajegowda to enable him to appeal to the apex court against the order.

Mr. Jeevaraja had sought a direction from the court to declare Mr. Gowda’s election as void as per the provisions of the Representation Of People Act, 1951 and the handbook for ROs issued by the Election Commission of India for alleged malpractices, election offences, unethical acts and indulgences, etc. Alternatively, a direction from the court was sought for recounting of the votes polled in accordance with law and declare the results afresh.