Orissa HC declares Malkangiri MLA's election as void

In a historic judgement, the Orissa High Court declared the election of Malkangiri MLA Nimai Sarkar as void. The court directed to the State Election Commission to take adequate steps as per the law. In the 2004 assembly elections, Nimai Sarkar (Congress) had defeated BJP's Aravind Dhali by a mere 253 votes. Dhali had challenged the election of Nimai Sarkar citing discrepancies and irregularities both voting and counting process.