Chikkamagaluru: Nearly three years after the 2023 Karnataka assembly elections, Congress MLA T D Rajegowda was officially declared the winner from Sringeri constituency Saturday, following a high court-ordered recount of postal ballots that ended a prolonged legal dispute with BJP candidate D N Jeevaraj. Rajegowda had originally won the election by a wafer-thin margin of 201 votes, after 279 of the 1,822 postal ballots were rejected. Challenging this, Jeevaraj moved court, leading to a legal battle that continued until April 6, 2026, when Karnataka high court ordered a recount of the postal ballots. At the end of the recount, Rajegowda’s victory margin increased by two votes: from 201 to 203. The recount was conducted at IDSG College in Chikkamagaluru under the supervision of election officer Gaurav Shetty and six assistant officers, in the presence of the agents of the two candidates. Ballot papers were brought from the strong room earlier in the day in the presence of district officials, including the deputy commissioner and tahsildars. During the recount, officials first re-verified the 279 previously rejected ballots and then counted the remaining postal votes, including three NOTA votes. Of the 279 rejected ballots, two were found valid during recount and those ballots were in favour of the Congress candidate, increasing Rajegowda’s total by two votes.There was some confusion when only 270 of the rejected ballots could be traced, with the remaining nine located after an extensive search. Reacting to the outcome, Rajegowda said: “I could have approached the Supreme Court with an appeal, but I chose not to, as I wanted the truth to come out, and truth has prevailed.” Jeevaraj was unavailable for comments. REJECTED BALLOTS IN FOCUS* Cong’s T D Rajegowda wins Sringeri assembly poll by 201 votes in 2023 * Out of 1,822 postal ballots, 279 rejected * BJP candidate D N Jeevaraj challenges result in court * On April 6, 2026, high court orders recount of postal ballots * During recount, 279 postal ballots rejected in 2023 re-verified * Two of the rejected postal ballots found valid and were cast in favour of Rajegowda * After final count, Rajegowda’s margin rises from 201 to 203 votes
