As of 1 pm, Karnataka witnessed an average turnover of 37.25 per cent, gradually improving from the 21 per cent recorded at 11 am over the last two hours. The assembly elections in Karnataka kicked off at 7 am on Wednesday and will continue until 6 pm.
The state comprises 224 constituencies, and the polling process will be conducted in a single phase. The counting of votes will take place on May 13.
Karnataka notes an active voter turnaround with participation from senior citizens to first-time voters. Based on the data from the Election Commission of India, this year, the total electors as per electoral rolls are 5,24,11,557, out of which the number of enrolments of young electors who attained the age of 18 years between January 2, 2022, and January 1, 2023, in Karnataka is 9,58,806, PwDs -- 5,60,908, third gender -- 4751, and senior citizens (80+) -- 12,15,142.
Constituencies such as Kagwad (43.26 per cent), Kudachi (45.2 per cent), Jamkhandi (44.1 per cent), Bilgi (44.1 per cent), Sindhanur (44.03 per cent), Sirsi (46.77 per cent), Yellapur (44.56 per cent), and others have witnessed more than 40 per cent of voters turnaround at 1 pm.
Additionally, to ensure greater voter participation, the Karnataka State Tourism Development Corporation (KSTDC) announced that the popular weekend getaway Nandi Hills near Bengaluru would only be open on election day for those who voted.
People across the state came out to cast their votes—newly married couples, people from the entertainment industry, and freedom fighters—treating the day as a regular day. In addition to the masses, industry stalwarts, including Infosys founder Narayan Murthy and Padma Shri awardee Sudha Murty, also cast their votes in Bengaluru.
However, voting hasn’t been smooth across the state. Priyank Kharge, the incumbent MLA and party candidate from Chittapur and the son of Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge, accused his presiding officer of manipulation. “Polling stopped in Booth #178 Chamnur village as the Presiding Officer is prompting/influencing people to vote for BJP,” the tweet read.
The Chief Electoral Officer, Karnataka, tweeted, “The Presiding Office is changed immediately based on the complaint received and polling is continued. Due action will be taken against the officer as per law.”
Another constituency, Varuna, saw slogan shouting, fisticuffs, and a tense atmosphere between Congress and BJP workers. Minister V Somanna is contesting against Congress CM aspirant Siddaramaiah from Varuna. Cong workers insist that Somanna not be allowed to enter Booth for inspection as he is not a voter in the constituency, to which BJP workers object.
The major political contenders in the election are the BJP, Congress, and JD(S), and of the 224 seats in the state, to secure a majority and form a government, a minimum of 113 seats is required.