No recounting of votes on just "bald statements": SC

New Delhi, Oct.13 (ANI): In a significant remark, the Supreme Court has stated that re-counting of votes could not be ordered on just bald allegations of any defeated candidate as it would otherwise affect the sanctity of the election process.

A Bench comprising Justices D K Jain and Aftab Alam on Tuesday said even if there is a slender difference of four votes, re-counting can be ordered only if there is sufficient material evidence from the aggrieved candidate to prove that the winning candidate had won by unfair means.

The Bench made such remarks while upholding the appeal of Udey Chand who was elected Sarpanch (village council head) of the Bas Badshahpur in Haryana's Hissar district by a margin of four votes over his nearest rival Surat Singh in 2005. (ANI)