Karnataka HC Sets Aside Nanje Gowda’s 2023 Election, Orders Vote Recount in Malur

The Karnataka High Court has set aside the 2023 election of Congress leader KY Nanje Gowda from the Malur Assembly constituency in Kolar district and ordered a recount of votes within four weeks.

Justice R Devdas passed the ruling while hearing an election petition filed by BJP candidate KS Manjunath Gowda, who alleged serious irregularities during the polls.

The Court directed the Election Commission of India (ECI) to conduct a recount and declare the results afresh. It also ordered the ECI to initiate action against the district election officer for failing to preserve video recordings of the counting process.

Manjunath Gowda had alleged that votes were wrongly counted, unauthorized persons were allowed inside the counting hall, and that signatures of counting agents were taken even before the EVMs were opened. He also pointed out that the videography of the counting process was missing, raising concerns about transparency.

The Court noted that while many of the allegations could have been verified through video records, these were not produced despite repeated directions. In such circumstances, the Court found sufficient doubt over the integrity of the election process.

“The election of respondent No.1 (Nanje Gowda) to Malur Assembly Constituency in May 2023 is hereby set aside,” the order stated.

Senior Advocate Jayakumar S Patil represented the petitioner, while Senior Advocate Nalina Mayegowda appeared for MLA Nanje Gowda.