HC relief to loser in MLC election

HYDERABAD: Dealing with an election petition filed in 2009, justice R Kantha Rao of the High Court on Tuesday set aside the returning officer’s decision in respect of three disputed ballot papers. The judge held that all the three disputed ballots had been validly cast in favour of the petitioner, R Venkat Rama Reddy who contested the MLC election on behalf of the Congress from the Nizamabad Local Authority Constituency (LAC) on March 30, 2009 and was declared defeated by one vote at the hands of TDP’s A Narsa Reddy (first respondent).The judge, in his order, passed the interim order upholding the petitioner’s contention in respect of three disputed ballot papers.The returning officer (second respondent) has not followed the procedure while making a decision on the disputed ballot papers.He, however, posted the recrimination petition filed by the MLC to Monday for hearing.As for case details, 701 votes were polled in the Legislative Council election as against a total number of 706.After counting, the returning officer held that Venkat Rama Reddy and Narsa Reddy polled 336 votes each and 29 votes were doubtful.After recounting the doubtful votes, the RO declared that Narsa Reddy secured 336 votes and the petitioner 335, and treated three votes as invalid.The TDP’s candidate was declared elected as MLC.At the petitioner’s request the High Court had ordered recounting.The winner went to the Supreme Court, challenging the High Court’s order.The apex court asked the High Court to examine the doubtful votes without going in for total recounting.