Recount Ordered: Hadapsar Votes Under Scrutiny

The Pune district election officer has mandated a recount of votes for the Hadapsar assembly constituency amid allegations of voting irregularities in the November 2024 Maharashtra elections. This decision comes after Prashant Jagtap, a losing candidate, voiced concerns over the integrity of the voting process.

Scheduled for July 25 to August 2, the recount aims to address Jagtap's demands for reviewing electronic voting machines and VVPAT paper slips. The original election saw a narrow victory for Chetan Tupe of the ruling NCP with 1,34,810 votes, while Jagtap garnered 1,27,688 votes.

The Election Commission's directive for a recount follows widespread objections from various assembly constituencies, including Hadapsar. While permission has been granted to recount 27 EVMs and VVPATs, the recount will involve a mock poll rather than reviewing actual voting data, a decision Jagtap and others have challenged in the Supreme Court.

(With inputs from agencies.)