In Karnataka, seventh round of recounting of votes polled in the Bellary Lok Sabha constituency in the April 2009 General election is completed. The Congress Candidate N Y Hanumanthappa was leading by 12,743 votes against BJP candidate J.Shantha. The Karnataka High Court had directed recounting on a petition filed alleging electoral malpractices.

Mr.Chandragowda, the polling agent for Congress candidate N Y Hanumanthappa had filed the petition. The Congress candidate had lost to BJP's J Shantha by 2,243 votes in the 2009 Lok Sabha election. Mrs.Shantha had moved the Supreme Court, which upheld the High Court order to recount votes polled. In its August 17 order, the Apex Court had directed recounting of votes to be taken up in four weeks.

Our Correspondent adds that this is for the first time in Karnataka that electronic voting machines used in the Lok Sabha elections are being reopened for counting under the direction of the court.