The total postal ballots polled for Congress candidate T.D. Raje Gowda reduced by 255 votes after the verification and recount of postal ballots for the Sringeri Assembly constituency, a process that continued until midnight in Chikkamagaluru on Saturday (May 2, 2026). The Returning Officer stated that as per the High Court’s instructions, he submitted a report to the Election Commission.
Mr. Raje Gowda, after the original counting in 2023, had won against his nearest rival D.N. Jeevaraj of the BJP by a thin margin of 201 votes. Now, after the verification and recount, his tally has reduced by 255 votes, prompting supporters of the BJP candidate to celebrate.
