Bengaluru, May 12: Polling began on a peaceful note in 222 of the 224 Assembly constituencies in karnataka on a peaceful note admist tight security arrangements.
An estimated five crore voters will have to choose from 2622 candidates are in the fray with the ruling Congress and its key opponent BJP contesting in 220 and 222 constituencies respectively. The Janata Dal (Secular) which had been a kingmaker in the past is in the fray in 199 constituencies with its alliance partner Bahujan Samaj Party contesting for 18 seats.
Karnataka Chief electoral Officer Sanjiv Kumar said that the process was on without any hitch with as many as 365,000 personnel involved and 1.4 lakh police personnel includinhg 285 companies of Central Para military forces and nearly 7500 policemen from other states have been roped in for duty.
As many as 58000 polling stations became a beehive of activity since the morning itself with the early voters thronging to cast their franchise in one of the most fiercely fought Assembly elections with Chief minister Siddaramaiah attempting to shatter a four decade old record of incumbent government returning to power and BJP spearheaded by Prime Minister straining every nerve to oust the congress in their bid to free India from Congress.
Overnight heavy rains had delayed polling in some booths in the city due to water logging issues. Complaints of malfunctioning of EVMs were also reported.
For the first time the Election Commission has set up 600 all women manned polling booths. Additional security arangements have been made in more than 12,000 polling booths which have been declared critical.
Election has been countermanded in Jayanagar Constituency following the demise of BJP candidate B N Vijayakumar, while it has been deferred in Rajarajeshwari constituency following attempt to induce a large chunk of voters. Polling in rajarajeshwari Nagar would now take place on May 28.
Nearly 182 members of the outgoing 14th Assembly a number of Members of the Karnataka Legislative Council and Members of Parliament are in the fray. Chief Minister Siddaramaiah fighting his tenth and last electoral battle is in the fray in his home turf of Chamundeshwari in Mysuru district and also in Badami in Bagalkot district. he is facing a tough challenge in both the constituencies with his erstwhile JD(S) colleague G T Devegowda taking him on in Chamundesdhwari and BJP Tribal leader and member of Parliament B Sreeramulu taking him on in Badami. Mr Sreeramulu is also fighting from Mormalmuru in Chitradurga. Among other prominent leaders in the fray included Chief ministerial aspirants B S Yeddyurappa of the BJP in Shikaripur in Shivamogga district and H D Kumaraswamy of the JD(S) in Ramanagara and Channapatna constituencies, Also in the fray were Congress State President Dr G Parameshwara in Koratagere and Congress state working President Dinesh Gundurao in Gandhinagar in the city.
Counting would take place on May 15. UNI
polling begins on a peaceful note in karnataka
Kashmir Age
We are a team of journalists, editors, and contributors committed to bringing authentic stories and reliable news from every corner of Jammu and Kashmir with integrity...
We are a team of journalists, editors, and contributors committed to bringing authentic stories and reliable news from every corner of Jammu and Kashmir with integrity and professionalism.
