- 1 - HC-KAR CNR: KAHC010041472022 NC: 2026:KHC:40327 EP No. 1 of 2022 C/W EP No. 2 of 2022 EP No. 3 of 2022 IN THE HIGH COURT OF KARNATAKA AT BENGALURU DATED THIS THE 31ST DAY OF JULY, 2026 BEFORE THE HON'BLE MR. JUSTICE S.G.PANDIT ELECTION PETITION NO. 1 OF 2022 C/W ELECTION PETITION NO. 2 OF 2022 ELECTION PETITION NO. 3 OF 2022 IN EP No. 1/2022 BETWEEN: 1. MR. VENKATESH.K S/O MR. K.T KESHAVMURTHY AGED ABOUT 61 YEARS, RESIDING AT WARD NO.1, NO. 28, ANNAPOORNESHWARI NILAYA, MEGALAPETE, MUDIGERE, CHIKKAMAGALURU - 577 132 AADHAR NO:625334862153. 2. MR.PRASHANTH.L S/O MR. LAKSHMAN SHETTY AGED ABOUT 42 YEARS, RESIDING AT WARD NO.3 NO.56 BAVIHATTI ROAD, NARASIMHARAJAPURA, CHIKKAMAGALURU - 577134 AADHAR NO 318575783798 3. MR. RAFIQ AHAMAD S/O MR. ABDUL KHADAR AGED ABOUT 42 YEARS, RESIDING AT BHARATHI STREET, SRINGERI - 577 139 AADHAR NO 455612963632 Digitally signed by NANJUNDACHARI Location: High Court of Karnataka - 2 - HC-KAR CNR: KAHC010041472022 NC: 2026:KHC:40327 EP No. 1 of 2022 C/W EP No. 2 of 2022 EP No. 3 of 2022 4. MR.RASHEED S/O MR. AMEER AGED ABOUT 44 YEARS RESIDING AT SUBHASH STREET KOPPA CHIKKAMAGALURU BENGALURU - 560 037 AADHAR NO 875685225537 …PETITIONERS (BY SRI. NISHANTH A.V.,ADVOCATE) AND: 1. MR. PRANESH M.K, S/O M V KALEGOWDA AGED ABOUT 60 YEARS, RESIDING AT S V T ROAD(CONVENT), KOPPA TALUK, CHIKKAMAGALURU - 577 126 2. MS. A.V. GAYATHRI SHANTHEGOWDA, W/O K.S.SHANTHEGOWDA, AGED 59 YEARS RESIDING AT KAVYA NILAYA SAGANIPURA ROAD CHIKKAMAGALURU - 577 101 3. DR K.SUNDARAGOWDA S/O MR. CHANNANA GOWDA AGED 71 YEARS RESIDING AT UDAYANANDA NILAYA, KEMPANAHALLI BASAVANAHALLI, POST KASABA HOBLI CHIKKAMAGALURU – 577 101. 4. MR.CHANDRASHEKHARA B.T S/O LATE THIMMABOVI AGED 32 YEARS, RESIDING AT BUCHENAHALLIKAVALU GRAMA, - 3 - HC-KAR CNR: KAHC010041472022 NC: 2026:KHC:40327 EP No. 1 of 2022 C/W EP No. 2 of 2022 EP No. 3 of 2022 SINDHIGERE POST, LAKYA HOBLI, CHIKKAMAGALURU TALUK AND DISTRICT - 577 146. 5. MR RENUKUMARA G I GOWTHVALLI S/O INDRESH GOWDA AGED 50 YEARS RESIDING AT GOWTHUVALLI VILLAGE, CHEEKANAHALLI POST, MUDIGERE TALUK, CHIKKAMAGALURU DISTRICT – 573 115 …RESPONDENTS (BY SRI. R.HEMANTH RAJ, ADVOCATE FOR R1; SRI. H.KANTARAJ, SR.COUNSEL FOR SRI. RAVI.H.K, ADVOCATE FOR R2; SRI. GIRISH KUMAR.B.M, ADVOCATE FOR R3 TO R5) THIS ELECTION PETITION IS FILED UNDER SECTION 81 OF THE REPRESENTATION OF PEOPLES ACT, 1951, BY MR. VENKATESH K. AND OTHERS PETITIONERS A/W HIS COUNSELS SRI. NISHANTH A.V.BEFORE THE REGISTRAR (JUDICIAL) ON 24.01.2022, (THE PROCEEDINGS OF REGISTRAR (JUDICIAL) IS AT PAGE NO.1 OF THE PETITION), CHALLENGING THE ELECTION OF RESPONDENT, RETURNED CANDIDATE SRI. PRANESH M.K. AND 4 OTHERS FROM-12 CHIKKAMAGALURU LOCAL AUTHORITIES CONSTITUENCY HELD IN THE YEAR 2021 AND THE PETITIONER PRAYS THIS HONBLE COURT TO CALL FOR RECORDS ,ORDER FOR RECOUNT OF ALL THE VOTES POLLED BY EXCLUDING VOTES OF 12 NOMINATED MEMBERS AND SET ASIDE THE ELECTION OF THE 1ST RESPONDENT TO NO.12 CHIKKAMAGALURU LOCAL AUTHORITIES CONSTITUENCY, CHIKKMAGALURU AND ETC., IN EP NO. 2/2022 BETWEEN: 1. SRI.SOMASHEKARAPPA.R SON OF LATE SRI. RAMANNA K.S. AGED ABOUT 41 YEARS RESIDING AT KAMSAGARA, - 4 - HC-KAR CNR: KAHC010041472022 NC: 2026:KHC:40327 EP No. 1 of 2022 C/W EP No. 2 of 2022 EP No. 3 of 2022 SARASWATHIPURA POST, KADURU TALUK, CHIKKAMAGALURU - 577 548 2. SRI. GURUMURTHY K.R. SON OF LATE RAJEGOWDA AGED ABOUT 27 YEARS RESIDING AT KURICHIKKANHALLI HIREGOWJA POST, HIREGOWJA, CHIKKAMAGALURU - 577 168 ...PETITIONERS (BY SRI. ROHAN HOSMATH, ADVOCATE) AND: 1. SRI. PRANESH M.K. SON OF M.U. KALEGOWDA, AGED ABOUT 61 YEARS RESIDING AT SVT ROAD (CONVENT), KOPPA TALUK, CHIKKAMAGALURU - 577 126 2. SMT A.V.GAYATHRI SHANTHEGOWDA AGED ABOUT 59 YEARS WIFE OF K.S. SHANTHEGOWDA RESIDING AT KAVYA NILAYA, SAGANIPURA ROAD, CHIKKAMAGALURU - 577 101 3. DR K.SUNDARA GOWDA AGED ABOUT 71 YEARS SON OF CHNNANAGOWDA RESIDING AT UDAYANANDA NILAYA, KEMPANHALLI, BASAVANAHLLI POST, KASABA HOBLI, CHIKKAMAGALURU - 572 126 4. SRI. CHANDRASHEKARA B.T, AGED ABOUT 32 YEARS SON OF THIMMAGOVI, RESIDING AT BUCHENAHALLI KAVALU - 5 - HC-KAR CNR: KAHC010041472022 NC: 2026:KHC:40327 EP No. 1 of 2022 C/W EP No. 2 of 2022 EP No. 3 of 2022 GRAMA, SINDIGERE POST, LAKYA HOBLI, CHIKKAMAGALURU - 577 146 5. SRI. RENUKUMARA G I GOWTHVALLI AGED ABOUT 50 YEARS SON OF INDIRESH GOWDA RESIDING AT GOWTHUVALLI VILLAGE, CHEEKANAHALLI POST, MUDIGERE TALUK, CHIKKAMAGALURU - 577 115 ...RESPONDENTS (BY SRI. R.HEMANTH RAJ, ADVOCATE FOR R1; SRI. H.KANTHARAJ, SR. COUNSEL FOR SRI. RAVI. H.K, ADVOCATE FOR R2; SRI. GIRISH KUMAR.B.M, ADVOCATE FOR R3 TO R5) THIS ELECTION PETITION IS PRESENTED UNDER SECTION 81 OF THE REPRESENTATION OF PEOPLES ACT, 1951, BY SRI. SOMASHEKARAPPA R. AND ANOTHER , PETITIONERS A/W HIS COUNSELS SRI. ROHAN HOSMATH, SRI, ABHISHEK GOWDA A.H., SRI NITESH RAO MOHITHE B. (ADVOCATES FOR PETITIONER) BEFORE THE REGISTRAR (JUDICIAL) ON 11.02.2022, (THE PROCEEDINGS OF REGISTRAR (JUDICIAL) IS AT PAGE NO.3 OF THE PETITION), CHALLENGING THE ELECTION OF RESPONDENT, RETURNED CANDIDATE SRI. PRANESH M.K. FROM-12 CHIKKAMAGALURU LOCAL AUTHORITIES CONSTITUENCY HELD IN THE YEAR 2021 AND THE PETITIONER PRAYS THIS HONBLE COURT TO CALL FOR RECORDS, ORDER FOR RE-COUNTING OF VOTES TO EXCLUDE THE TWELVE VOID VOTES CASTE BY NOMINATED PERSONS (REFERRED TO IN TABLE-A) IN FAVOUR OF RESPONDENT NO.1 AND DECLARE THAT THE RESULT OF THE ELECTION OF RESPONDENT NO.1 AS RETURNED CANDIDATE TO FILL THE SEAT OF MEMBER OF LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL, KARNATAKA FROM CHIKKAMAGALURU LOCAL AUTHORITIES CONSTITUENCY - 12 VOID IN TERMS OF SECTION 100(1) OF THE REPRESENTATION OF PEOPLE ACT, 1951. - 6 - HC-KAR CNR: KAHC010041472022 NC: 2026:KHC:40327 EP No. 1 of 2022 C/W EP No. 2 of 2022 EP No. 3 of 2022 IN EP NO. 3/2022 BETWEEN: A.V.GAYATHRI SHANTHEGOWDA, W/O K.S.SHANTHEGOWDA AGED ABOUT 59 YEARS R/O KAVYA NILAYA, SAGANIPURA STREET, CHIKKAMAGALURU, CHIKKAMAGALURU DISTRICT PIN CODE – 577 101 ...PETITIONER (BY SRI. H.KANTHARAJ, SR.COUNSEL FOR SRI. RAVI H K.,ADVOCATE) AND: 1. PRANESH M.K., S/O. M.U.KALEGOWDA AGED ABOUT 60 YEARS S V T ROAD (CONVENT) KOPPA, KOPPA TALUK CHIKKAMAGALURU DISTRICT PIN CODE - 577 126 2. DR. K.SUNDARA GOWDA S/O CHANNANNAGOWDA MAJOR, UDAYANANDA NILYA, KEMPANAHALLI, BASAVANAHALLI POST, KASABA HOBLI, CHIKKAMAGALURU TALUK CHIKKAMAGALURU DISTRICT - 577 101 3. CHANDRASHEKARA B.T., S/O LATE THIMMABOVI MAJOR, BUCHANAHALLI KAVALU VILLAGE, SINDHIGERE (POST), LAKYA HOBLI, CHIKKAMAGALURU TALUK, CHIKKAMAGALURU DISTRICT PINCODE - 577 146 - 7 - HC-KAR CNR: KAHC010041472022 NC: 2026:KHC:40327 EP No. 1 of 2022 C/W EP No. 2 of 2022 EP No. 3 of 2022 4. RENUKUMAR G.I.GOWTHVALLI S/O INDRESH GOWDA, MAJOR, GOWTHUVALLI VILLAGE, CHEEKANAHALLI (POST), MUDIGERE TALUK, CHIKKAMAGALURU DISTRICT PIN CODE – 577132 ...RESPONDENTS (BY SRI. R. HEMANTH RAJ, ADVOCATE FOR R1; SRI. GIRISH KUMAR.B.M, ADVOCATE FOR R2 TO R4) THIS ELECTION PETITION IS PRESENTED UNDER SECTION 81, 83 AND 100 OF THE REPRESENTATION OF PEOPLES ACT, 1951, R/W RULE 4 OF THE ELECTION PETITIONS (PROCEDURE) RULES, KARNATAKA , 1967, BY SMT. A.V. GAYATHRI SHANTHEGOWDA, PETITIONER A/W HIS COUNSELS SRI. RAVI H.K., SMT. SHRUTI PHONDE AND SRI, PRASANNA KUMAR, (ADVOCATES FOR PETITIONER) BEFORE THE REGISTRAR (JUDICIAL) ON 24.01.2022, (THE PROCEEDINGS OF REGISTRAR (JUDICIAL) IS AT PAGE NO.5 OF THE PETITION), CHALLENGING THE ELECTION OF RESPONDENT, RETURNED CANDIDATE SRI. PRANESH M.K. FROM-12 CHIKKAMAGALURU LOCAL CONSTITUENCY HELD IN THE YEAR 2021 AND THE PETITIONER PRAYS THIS HONBLE COURT TO CALL FOR RECORDS, ORDER FOR RECOUNT OF VOTES IN THE ELECTION TO THE 12- CHIKKAMAGALURU LOCAL AUTHORITIES CONSTITUTENCY- 2021 BY EXCLUDING THE VOID VOTES OF THE NOMINATED PERSON FROM SHRINGERI, MUDIGERE, NARASIMHARAJAPURA AND KOPPA TOWN PANCHAYATHS AND DECLARE THAT THE ELECTION OF TH RESPONDENT NO.1 ON 14.12.2021 TO THE 12-CHIKKAMAGALURU LOCAL AUTHORITIES CONSTITUENCY - 2021 AS VOID AND ILLEGAL. THESE PETITIONS, COMING ON FOR ORDERS, THIS DAY, ORDER WAS MADE THEREIN AS UNDER: CORAM: HON'BLE MR. JUSTICE S.G.PANDIT - 8 - HC-KAR CNR: KAHC010041472022 NC: 2026:KHC:40327 EP No. 1 of 2022 C/W EP No. 2 of 2022 EP No. 3 of 2022 ORAL JUDGMENT The above election petitions are filed challenging election of respondent No.1 Sri.M.K.Pranesh to 12, Chikkamagalur Local Authority Constituency, 2021. This Court by order dated 29.01.2025 passed the following order: “(a) The Returning Officer of 12 Chikkamagaluru Local Authorities Constituency-2021 is directed to secure the ballot boxes containing ballot papers of the election to 12 Chikkamagaluru Local Authorities Constituency-2021 held on 14.12.2021. (b) Open the Ballot Boxes and segregate the ballot papers of 12 nominated members based on the counter foil of the ballot papers, serial numbers of ballot papers, without affecting the secrecy of votes casted. (c) Thereafter, recount the valid votes polled excluding the ballot papers/votes of 12 nominated members, following the procedure prescribed for recounting of votes and submit report on recounting of votes to this Court. - 9 - HC-KAR CNR: KAHC010041472022 NC: 2026:KHC:40327 EP No. 1 of 2022 C/W EP No. 2 of 2022 EP No. 3 of 2022 (d) The above process shall be completed within 30 days and the report shall be filed on or before 07.03.2025. Registry is directed to communicated this order to the following, through speed post as well as email: (1) The Secretary, Election Commission of India, Nirvachan Sadan, Ashoka Road, New Delhi- 110001. (2) Chief Electoral Officer, Office of the Chief Electoral Officer, State of Karnataka, Seshadri Road, Bengaluru-560 001. (3) The District Election Officer, Chikkamagaluru, Chikkamagaluru District. (4) The Returning officer, 12-Chikkamagaluru Local Authorities Constituency-2021.” 2. This was the subject matter of Civil Appeal Nos.9032-9034/2026 and connected appeals. The Hon'ble Apex Court by judgment dated 16.07.2026 affirmed the order of High Court directing recounting of votes and passed the following order: - 10 - HC-KAR CNR: KAHC010041472022 NC: 2026:KHC:40327 EP No. 1 of 2022 C/W EP No. 2 of 2022 EP No. 3 of 2022 “48. in view of the aforesaid discussion, we are of the view that the nominated members appointed under Section 352(1)(b) of the KMA were not entitled to be included in the electoral roll prepared for the Local Authorities’ Constituency and their inclusion was contrary to the constitutional scheme and cannot be sustained in law. 49. For the aforesaid reasons, we find no error in the view taken by the High Court of Karnataka in the impugned common order dated 29.01.2025 in Election Petition Nos.1, 2 and 3 of 2022 and in the impugned common judgment and order dated 20.04.2023 in Writ Appeal Nos.1247, 1256 and 1250 of 2022. Accordingly, the present appeals stand dismissed. 50. The Registry is directed to transmit the sealed cover containing the recount report and the revised result to the Registrar General, High Court of Karnataka, forthwith. The respondent-authorities thereafter shall take appropriate steps as per the directions issued by the High Court in the order dated - 11 - HC-KAR CNR: KAHC010041472022 NC: 2026:KHC:40327 EP No. 1 of 2022 C/W EP No. 2 of 2022 EP No. 3 of 2022 29.01.2025 passed in Election Petition No.1 of 2022 and the allied matters, within a period of 30 days from the date of this judgment, and thereafter, submit the report before the High Court as directed in the order dated 29.01.2025.” 3. In view of the above judgment of the Hon'ble Apex Court, recounting of votes which has already taken place shall have to be given effect to. The Hon'ble Apex Court by order dated 17.02.2025 in the above stated Civil Appeals had observed that recounting may take place. However, the result shall not be notified and the same be produced before the Hon'ble Apex Court in a sealed cover. Accordingly, on recounting of votes, sealed cover containing result was placed before the Hon'ble Apex Court. The Hon'ble Apex Court in the course of the above order has recorded that it opened the sealed cover and on perusal of the contents of sealed cover, the Hon'ble Apex Court was of the opinion that the result demonstrates that exclusion of invalid votes alters the outcome and - 12 - HC-KAR CNR: KAHC010041472022 NC: 2026:KHC:40327 EP No. 1 of 2022 C/W EP No. 2 of 2022 EP No. 3 of 2022 continuation of returned candidate would perpetuate illegality. 4. Today, before the learned counsel Sri.Nishanth A.V., along with Sri.Karthik C, learned counsel for petitioners in E.P.No.1/2022; Sri.Rohan Hosmath, learned counsel for petitioners in E.P.no.2/2022 and learned senior counsel Sri.Kantharaj H.N. along with Sri.H.K.Ravi, learned counsel for the petitioner in E.P.No.3/2022 and Sri.R.Hemanth Raj, learned counsel for respondent returned candidate, the sealed cover received from the Hon'ble Apex Court which contained report with regard to recounting was opened. 5. Learned counsel Sri.Hemanth Raj appearing for respondent No.1 Sri.M.K.Pranesh submitted that this respondent has filed Review Petitions bearing Dairy Nos.45543/2026, 45547/2026, 45172/2026 and 45551/2026 before the Hon’ble Supreme Court praying to review the judgment dated 16.07.2026 in Civil Appeals No.9032-9034 of 2026 and connected appeals. However, - 13 - HC-KAR CNR: KAHC010041472022 NC: 2026:KHC:40327 EP No. 1 of 2022 C/W EP No. 2 of 2022 EP No. 3 of 2022 he submits that the review petitions are yet to be listed before the respective bench. 6. The above submission of learned counsel Sri.Hemanth Raj is noted for the purpose of rejection in view of directions of the Hon'ble Apex Court to conclude the procedure within a period of 30 days from the date of judgment. 7. I have perused the report of the Returning Officer, Chikkamagaluru Local Authorities Constituency-2021 filed on recounting of votes. The report is annexed with Form No.23B-Return of Election, Election to the Council of States-2021 pertaining to Local Authorities Legislative Council-12 Chikkamagaluru Local Authorities Constituency; election to final one seat-recounting result; statement of consolidation of Roundwise Account of Votes Received; statement showing the number of ballot papers taken out of the ballot box(es), postal ballot papers and ballot papers found valid and rejected; and notice to - 14 - HC-KAR CNR: KAHC010041472022 NC: 2026:KHC:40327 EP No. 1 of 2022 C/W EP No. 2 of 2022 EP No. 3 of 2022 candidates or their election agents regarding the date, time and place of recounting as per High Court order in E.P.No.1/2022 c/w E.P.No.2/2022 and E.P.No.3/2022 dated 29.01.2025. 8. I have perused the recounting report filed by the Returning Officer, 12-Chikkamagaluru Local Authorities Constituency and the statements appended to the said report. The result sheet of recounting reads as follows: Election to the Council of States- 2021 Local Authorities Legislative Council 12-Chikkamagaluru Local Authorities Constituency The result of the recount of Votes in as follows:- No. Of valid votes :2358 No. of Members to be elected :01 Quota (number of votes sufficient to secure the election of a candidate):1180 Names of Candidates First Count Second Count Third count Fourth Count Name of electe d candid ates and order of electio n Votes polled by each candid ate Tran sfer of Res ult Tran sfer of Res ult Tran sfer of Res ult A.V.GAYATHR I SHANTHE GOWDA 1183 ……… …… ……… …… ……… …… PRANESH M.K 1174 ……… …… ……… …… ……… …… - 15 - HC-KAR CNR: KAHC010041472022 NC: 2026:KHC:40327 EP No. 1 of 2022 C/W EP No. 2 of 2022 EP No. 3 of 2022 DR. K. SUNDARA GOWDA 1 ……… …… ……… …… ……… …… CHANDRASHE KAR.B.T 0 ……… …… ……… …… ……… …… RENUKUMAR G.I. GOWTHVALLI 0 ……… …… ……… …… ……… …… Non Transferable Papers 0 ……… …… ……… …… ……… …… Loss due to fractions 0 ……… …… ……… …… ……… …… Total 2358 ……… …… ……… …… ……… …… Seats to filled 1 Total Votes polled 2417 Invalid Votes 40 Total No. of Nominated Members votes 12 Valid votes 2358 Value of each Vote 1 Total Value of Valid Votes 2358 Name of the Candidate (Initial Count) 1st Round 2ND Round of Eliminati on of... Result of 2nd Roun d 3rd Roun d of Elimin ation of… Result of 3rd Round 4th Roun d of Elimin ation of…. Result of 4th Round Rem arks A.V.GAYATHRI SHANTHE GOWDA 1183 PRANESH M.K 1174 DR. K. SUNDARA GOWDA 1 CHANDRASHEKA R.B.T 0 RENUKUMAR G.I. GOWTHVALLI 0 Non Transferable Papers 0 Loss due to fractions 0 Total 2358 RESULT SHEET QUOTA= Total Value of Valid Ballot Papers+1 No. of seats to be filled +1 Quota = 2358+1=1180 1+1 - 16 - HC-KAR CNR: KAHC010041472022 NC: 2026:KHC:40327 EP No. 1 of 2022 C/W EP No. 2 of 2022 EP No. 3 of 2022 9. Section 98 of the Representation of the People Act, 1951 reads as follows: “98. Decision of the High Court:- As The conclusion of the trial of an election petition the High Court shall make an order – (a) dismissing the election petition; or (b) declaring the election of all or any of the returned candidates to be void; or (c) declaring the election of all or any of the returned candidates to be void and the petitioner or any other candidate to have been duly elected. (d) xxxx” 10. In terms of the above provision, this Court shall make an order declaring the election of any of the returned candidate to be void or declaring the election any of the returned candidates to be void and the petitioner or any other candidate to have been duly elected. Recounting ordered by this Court in E.P.No.1/2022, E.P.No.2/2022 and E.P.No.3/2022 is upheld by the Hon'ble Apex Court by rejecting Civil Appeal Nos.9032-9034/2026 and connected appeals. - 17 - HC-KAR CNR: KAHC010041472022 NC: 2026:KHC:40327 EP No. 1 of 2022 C/W EP No. 2 of 2022 EP No. 3 of 2022 11. On perusal of the result sheet of recounting it is seen that out of the valid votes, Smt.A.V.Gayathri Shanthegowda petitioner in E.P.No.3/2022 (respondent No.2 in E.P.No.1/2022 and E.P.No.2/2022) has secured 1183 votes whereas respondent No.1/Sri.M.K.Pranesh has secured 1174 votes. The number of votes sufficient to secure the election of a candidate is 1180. In terms of recounting, election of respondent No.1/Sri.M.K.Pranesh is declared as void and consequently, Smt.A.V.Gayathri Shanthegowda, petitioner in E.P.No.3/2022 (respondent No.2 in E.P.No.1/2022 and E.P.No.2/2022) is declared as duly elected candidate to the Local Authorities Legislative Council, 12-Chikkamagaluru Local Authorities Constituency. 12. The Registry is directed to communicate this order to the Election Commission of India; Election Commission of State of Karnataka; the Chairman, Karnataka Legislative Council, The Returning Officer, 12-Chikkamagaluru Local - 18 - HC-KAR CNR: KAHC010041472022 NC: 2026:KHC:40327 EP No. 1 of 2022 C/W EP No. 2 of 2022 EP No. 3 of 2022 Authorities Constituency and The Deputy Commissioner, Chikkamagaluru with authenticated copy of this order. 13. The Registry is further directed to re-seal the papers forwarded by the Returning Officer, No.12-Chikkamagaluru Local Authorities Constituency and forward the same to the Returning Officer, 12-Chikkamagaluru Local Authorities Constituency. 14. Accordingly, all the election petitions stand disposed of. SD/- (S.G.PANDIT) JUDGE MPK CT:RK List No.: 1 Sl No.: 1