Karnataka Assembly Bypolls: Voting has started in 15 assembly constituencies across Karnataka.
Voting has started in 15 assembly constituencies across Karnataka today with the ruling BJP government hoping to win at least six to remain in power. Polling began at 7 am and will continue till 6 pm. As many as 37.78 lakh people are expected to cast their votes.
The by-elections are being held to fill the vacancies caused due to the disqualification of 17 rebel Congress and Janata Dal-Secular MLAs, whose rebellion led to the collapse of the HD Kumaraswamy-led coalition government in July and paved the way for the BJP to take over in its stead.
The BJP needs to win at least six to retain its majority in the 225-member assembly, which would still have two vacant ones in Maski and RR Nagar. The BJP currently has 105 MLAs (including an independent) while the Congress and the Janata Dal-Secular have 66 and 34 respectively. There is also a Bahujan Samaj Party member, a nominated member and the Speaker.
Here are the live updates on Karnataka Assembly Bypolls
Latest turnout figures for the 15 assembly constituencies.
Latest voter-turnout figures for the 15 assembly constituencies in the state, that are up for by-polls.
Deputy CM Laxman Savadi casts his voteKarnataka Deputy Chief Minister Laxman Savadi exercised his franchise for the assembly by-polls at a polling booth in Athani constituency on Thursday morning. According to the Election Commission of India, Athani recorded 8.33 per cent voting till 9 am in the morning today.
Constituency-wise Turnout Till 9.26 amTurnout in constituencies going for bypolls till 9:26 am: Athani- 8.33 per cent, Kagwad- 6.94, Gokak- 6.11, Yellapur-7.54, Hirekerue- 5.59, Ranebennur- 6.22, Vijayanagara- 6.5, Chikkaballapur- 6.91, K R Puram- 4.04, Yeshwanthpura- 4.19, Mahalakshi layout- 8.21, K R Pete- 6.2, and Hunsur- 6.18.
Highest and lowest turnoutAccording to voter turnout figures available till 9:26 am, highest turnout of 9.01 per cent was recorded in Hoskote, while the lowest was in Shivajinagar with 3.04 per cent.
6.06 Per Cent Voter Turn Out In First 2 HoursAn estimated 6.06 per cent of voting took place during the first two hours since polling began in 15 assembly constituencies going bypolls in Karnataka on Thursday.
Pictures of polling in Gokak Assembly ConstituencyBelagavi (Gokak): Voting underway at a polling station for by-poll to Gokak Assembly Constituency.
Pictures of polling in Gokak Assembly ConstituencyBelagavi (Gokak): Voting underway at a polling station for by-poll to Gokak Assembly Constituency.
People queue up at a polling station in HoskotePeople queue up at a polling station in Hoskote, to cast their votes.
Bengaluru: Pictures from Shivaji Nagar ConstituencyVoting for by-election to Shivaji Nagar Constituency, underway at BBMPPU College and High School, Tasker Town.