Overview
- Counting was halted after a counting staff member was caught altering voter preferences on April 15 and an FIR was lodged.
- On Saturday the Delhi High Court rejected petitions for a fresh election and upheld the High-Powered Election Supervisory Committee’s order to recommence counting from the second-preference stage.
- The court recorded that 27 manipulated ballots were found — 18 when the incident was first detected and nine more after counting resumed — and said additional tampered papers could not be ruled out.
- Judges ordered detailed safeguards including a high-resolution camera over the counting table, continuous videography and live streaming, transfer of open-basket ballots into lockable boxes, and 24-hour notice before counting restarts.
- The court directed that ballots with overwriting or erasures be sealed as ‘doubtful ballots’ and placed before the Additional Solicitor General for a final ruling, and that original digital recordings be preserved until the election-petition period expires which leaves room for further legal challenge.