Nagpur graduates' poll: 15,106 of 1.65 lakh votes invalid, Kohale hit by ballots marked '2'

A total of 1,65,541 votes were cast in the Nagpur division graduates' constituency election. Of these, 15,106 votes turned out to be invalid. The rejection of votes on such a large scale in a graduates' constituency election has drawn attention.

Even more discussed is the fact that many voters wrote only the numeral 2 against the name of BJP candidate Sudhakar Kohale on the ballot paper. Writing 1 against the first-preference candidate is mandatory. As a result, votes that could have been solid votes for Kohale became invalid. Had he received them, his lead would have grown further.

According to the information available, around 3,000 votes were declared invalid because 2 was written against Kohale's name. With so many voters writing 2 instead of 1, not only was Kohale's potential lead reduced. The question has also been raised whether this was a deliberate action by some particular group of voters.

After both rounds of counting, 1,50,874 votes were found valid. As per the rules, the winning quota has been fixed at 75,438 votes. Neither of the two candidates could secure that many votes. The subsequent process has therefore begun, and second-preference votes are being counted.

For now, counting first and second preferences together, Kohale has 60,945 votes and Abhijit Wanjari has 56,665. Kohale is currently ahead by 4,280 votes. The lowest-placed candidates are being eliminated, and 16 candidates have been eliminated so far. Wanjari received somewhat more of these votes than Kohale, but still could not cut Kohale's overall lead by much. Even after the elimination of 16 candidates, Kohale's lead stands at 4,280 votes.

The result now rests on the second preferences recorded in the votes of Nitesh Karale, who is running third. Counting of the second preferences in Karale's 24,249 votes will begin shortly. That count will decide whether more of Karale's second preferences go to Wanjari or to Kohale. This will settle the future of the BJP and the Congress.