Karnataka Election Commission Sets November 11 for Malur Assembly Recount

Bangalore Mail Political Bureau

Kolar | Bengaluru, November 4:
The Karnataka Election Commission has officially set November 11, 2025, as the date for the vote recount in the Malur Assembly Constituency. The decision follows a directive from the Supreme Court of India, which ordered a recount after months of legal disputes surrounding the 2023 Assembly election results.

Defeated BJP candidate Manjunath Gowda had written to the Election Commission, alleging irregularities in the handling of polling materials by local officials. Acting on his letter and in line with the court’s ruling, the Election Commission has now instructed the Kolar District Election Officer and Deputy Commissioner to conduct the recount on the specified date.

Supreme Court Orders Recount After Legal Battle

In the 2023 Karnataka Assembly Elections, Congress candidate K.Y. Nanjegowda had emerged victorious from Malur. However, Manjunath Gowda challenged the outcome, claiming that the vote counting process was mishandled. The Karnataka High Court initially ruled in Gowda’s favor, invalidating Nanjegowda’s election and ordering a recount.

Nanjegowda then approached the Supreme Court, which stayed the High Court’s decision on disqualifying him but upheld the order for a recount of votes.

What Happened on Counting Day in 2023

Vote counting for the Kolar district constituencies was held at the Government Boys’ College in Kolar city. The Malur seat attracted particular attention due to a three-cornered contest involving Congress, BJP, and the Swabhimani Janata Party.

Initially, independent candidate Hoodi Vijay Kumar of the Swabhimani Janata Party took an unexpected lead, creating a buzz that he might secure victory. Even some Congress leaders were reportedly in touch with him during the early rounds.

However, as counting neared its final stages, the tables turned. In the last three rounds, Vijay Kumar lost ground, and the fight narrowed between Nanjegowda (Congress) and Manjunath Gowda (BJP).

At one stage, Gowda’s supporters began celebrations, convinced of his victory. But by the final round, Nanjegowda managed to edge past him, winning by a narrow margin of just 248 votes — a result that has now led to a Supreme Court–mandated recount.