The Karnataka High Court on Tuesday annulled the election of K.Y. Nanjegowda, Congress MLA from Malur constituency in Kolar district, following allegations of irregularities, erroneous tabulation, and procedural lapses during the vote counting process. Justice R. Devdas directed the Election Commission of India to conduct a vote recount within four weeks and issue a new result. However, to accommodate Nanjegowda’s request, the judge allowed a 30-day stay on the order, enabling him to appeal to the Supreme Court.
In a closely contested election held in May 2023, Nanjegowda narrowly defeated his BJP rival, Manjunathgowda, by a margin of just 248 votes. Three days post-election, Manjunathgowda filed a challenge in the High Court, claiming that counting officials had initially informed him of his victory before the results were ultimately declared in favor of Nanjegowda.
