Hazrat Talha's (ra) Absence in the Election of Hazrat Uthman (ra)

It is stated in Fath-ul-Bari, the commentary of Sahih Bukhari that Hazrat Talha (ra) was not present when Hazrat Umar (ra) was giving his counsel. It is possible that he returned only when Hazrat Umar (ra) had passed away. On the other hand, there are narrations which state that he arrived when the consultation has not come to its conclusion yet. According to another narration, which is regarded as more reliable, Hazrat Talha (ra) returned after Hazrat Uthman (ra) had been elected as the Khalifa.

(Fath-ul-Bari Sharah Sahih Bukhari, Vol. 7, p. 69, Hadith no. 3700, Dar-ul-Marifah, Beirut)