In a ruling underscoring the sanctity of each vote, the Supreme Court has ordered a recount in the 2021 Uttar Pradesh Gram Pradhan elections after discrepancies surfaced in the ballot count. The Court emphasized that electoral integrity must be upheld, regardless of the election’s final outcome.
A Bench of Justices Sanjay Karol and Nongmeikapam Kotiswar Singh noted critical irregularities, including missing documents and unexplained inconsistencies in the vote tally. The case, which stemmed from a disputed election in Chak village, Prayagraj, revealed a 19-vote mismatch between oral and official tallies, raising concerns about the accuracy of the process.
The sub-divisional magistrate had previously ordered a recount in 2022, but this decision was overturned by the Allahabad High Court in 2023, citing a lack of sufficient evidence. The Supreme Court, however, found the missing Presiding Officer’s diary and the conflicting vote counts to be significant enough to warrant a fresh review.
The Court also highlighted that three of the four candidates in the election supported the recount, reinforcing the need for transparency. “When key election documents are missing and discrepancies remain unexplained, a recount becomes necessary,” the Bench stated.
Stressing that elections must adhere to constitutional principles, the Court asserted that the legitimacy of power lies not just in its exercise but in how it is attained. With the High Court’s decision set aside, authorities have been directed to schedule a vote recount to ensure electoral fairness.
