Recounting of votes in Malur constituency today

BENGALURU: The BJP is keeping a close watch on the recounting of votes in the Malur constituency which began today. Vote counting is taking place on the campus of the horticulture university, and prohibitory order has been imposed around the centre.

Counting started at 8 am, CCTV surveillance has been installed around the counting centre and a tight police cordon has been deployed. Agents were inspected before being allowed inside. Mobile phones and electronic devices are prohibited inside the counting center. Election officials have also imposed a ban on the media.

If any progress in the counting gives a hint, after a court order the BJP leaders plan to visit Malur, hoping that the recount will counter the Congress’s alleged vote theft charge. However, following whatever clues emerge today, the BJP will wait until the court order before taking any action.

The results of the recount will not be published in the media. A report is to be prepared and presented in a sealed envelope to the court. Candidates’ agents are allowed to receive the counting information.

Congress’ K Y Nanjegowda won by a margin of 248 votes in the last Assembly election. Alleging irregularities in the vote count, BJP candidate K S Manjunath Gowda approached the High Court. The Supreme Court ordered a recount and instructed that it be conducted and the results be submitted in a sealed envelope.