Highest Turnout in Karnataka Since 1952, Re-polling in 3 Booths

Polling will be held in 222 constituencies of the 224-member Karnataka Assembly.

The Quint
India
Updated:
Polling was held in 222 constituencies of the 224-member Karnataka Assembly.
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Polling was held in 222 constituencies of the 224-member Karnataka Assembly.
(Photo: The Quint/Shruti Mathur)

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The Karnataka State Election Commission on Sunday, 13 May announced that repolling will be held in three polling booths across the state on Monday.

The voter turnout in the Karnataka Assembly was 70 percent, announced the EC on 12 May.

Click here for live updates on the exit polls.

  • Re-polling will be held in Hebbal, and Koppal’s Kushtagi town
  • 70 per cent voter turnout in Karnataka Assembly polls: EC
  • 222 of 224 constituencies went to polls on 12 May
  • No party in Karnataka has won a second successive term in office since 1985
  • Results will be declared on 15 May

Re-Polling Underway in Koppal district's Kushtagi Constituency

(Photo: ANI)

Re-polling started at booth numbers 20 and 21 in Koppal district's Kushtagi constituency.

A re-election was announced on Saturday due to faulty EVMs in three constituency. Re-election will also be held in Hebbal’s Polling Station No 2 at Gandhi Vidyalaya, where 14,44 voters are registered.

Re-voting in Three Booths Across State on Monday

The Karnataka State Election Commission on Sunday, 13 May announced that re-polling will be held in three polling booths across the state on Monday. Polling will be held between 7am to 6pm.

One of the station were re-polling will be held is at Hebbal’s Polling Station No 2 at Gandhi Vidyalaya, where 14,44 voters are registered.

Re-polling will also be held in Koppal’s Kushtagi, reportedly due to faulty EVMs.

Voter Turnout at 72.13% Highest Since 1952 State Polls: CEO

The 72.13 per cent voter turnout in the Karnataka Assembly elections has broken all records and is the highest since the 1952 state polls, Chief Electoral Officer Sanjeev Kumar said PTI on 13 May.

"The voter turnout in the polls broke all records last night. By midnight, the figures showed that it was 72.13 per cent," he told PTI.

Kumar said the 2013 Assembly polls had recorded a turnout of 71.45 percent, which was the highest in the last six Assembly elections. It was 65 percent in 2008 and 2004, 69 percent in the 1989 and 1994 and 69 percent in the 1990 elections, he said.

Out of The 64,297 Ballet Units, 212 Units Malfunctioned

Out of the 64,297 ballet units, 212 units malfunctioned, according to the state election officials. Out of the 57,782 control units, 340 units malfunctioned and out of 57,786 VVPAT 698 malfunctioned.

Repoll of polling station 2, in Hebbal constituency, where the polling was rejected following machine malfunction, will take place on 14 May.

The election commission also announced that 5,40,762 litres of liquor worth Rs 24.93 crore were seized, Rs 44.28 crore worth gold and silver and Rs 40.10 lakh worth drugs were seized. 26 cases of paid news also came out as well, out of which 15 have been confirmed.

70 Percent Voter Turnout in Karnataka Assembly Polls: EC

Senior deputy election commissioner Umesh Sinha, in his address, thanked voters of Karnataka for participating so enthusiastically. He gave special accolades to persons with disabilities and senior citizens for exercising their right to franchise.

Sinha pointed out that polling was conducted in total 57,416 polling stations and the election commission had appointed 154 general observers, 136 expenditure observers, 34 police observers, 10,000 micro observers and more than 3,20,000 polling personnel.

He said 2,65,731 postal ballots were issued, out of which 1,06,891 people cast their votes.

However, the senior deputy commissioner also pointed out that yet again they discovered bribes and inducements being used to influence votes.

Inducements like alcohol, money etc were being used to sway the elections, and at alarming proportions. But to curb these inducements ECI had deployed at least 3 flying squads equipped with GPS. Seizure of inducements to the tune of Rs 1.86 crore was carried out.
Senior deputy election commissioner Umesh Sinha

Voters Request Election Officials to Cast their Vote

Voters request election officials to allow them to vote at a polling centre in Shivajinagar. The polling gates were closed at 6 pm.

Polling Time Is Over, but People Wait to Vote

KG Jagadeesh, IAS Additional CEO-1, tells The Quint that even though the polling time is over, the people are standing in queues to cast their vote.

People Want Change in Bengaluru: BJP MP Rajeev Chandrasekhar

BJP MP Rajeev Chandrasekhar says the energy of people is palpable and people are coming out in large numbers to vote.

Karnataka Records 61.25% Voter Turnout at 5 PM

Electricity Restored in Hubli After Downpour, Voting Resumes

Voting was affected in Hubli-Dharwad central constituency after heavy downpour disrupted electricity. However, electricity was restored and voting resumed soon.

EVM, VVPAT Malfunction

164 polling units, 157 control units and 470 voter-verified paper audit trail (VVPATs) were replaced following a technical snag across Karnataka.

Re-Polling in Hebbal Assembly Constituency

Election commission says that that there will be re-polling in Lottegollahali, booth number 2 in Hebbal assembly constituency, due to EVM, VVPAT malfunctioning.

A Snake Enetered a Polling Booth in Mahadevapura, Bengaluru

Polling was suspended for around 20 minutes at a polling booth in Mahadevapura in Bengaluru as a snake entered the polling station. Central forces were called in to catch the snake.

Karnataka Elections: Rain Affects Voting in Hubli

Voters take shelter at a polling station as rain lashes parts of Hubli, affecting voting.

(Photo: ANI)

3,500 Residents of Tarkaspet Village Boycott Elections

3,500 residents of Chittapur taluk's Tarkaspet village in Kalburagi district are boycotting Karnataka elections over their demand for Gram Panchayat headquarters for their village.

(Photo: ANI)

Karnataka Elections: EC Officials Believe Voter Turnout Will Increase

There hasn’t been any news of EVM tampering in Karnataka so far. And the EC official believes that the voter turnout will go up by the evening and will cross 2013 figure. The Quint’s Arun Dev brings us the latest updates from Karnataka.

Polling Will Be Held till 6 PM: EC

Election Commission has said that polling in Karnataka will be held till 6 pm. There has been no extension in poll timings, reported The News Minute.

Karnataka Votes and Appeals to Vote

The voters in Karnataka are not just casting their vote but they also appeal others to vote to choose their leader.

Actor Puneeth Rajkumar Appeals Voters to Cast Their Vote

Sandalwood actor Puneeth Rajkumar appeals voters to come out and vote irrespective of whatever problems they have.

Karnataka Records 56% Voter Turnout at 3 PM

Yeddyurappa is Dreaming of Forming Govt: Siddaramaiah

In an interview to news agency ANI, incumbent CM Saiddaramaiah reiterated that his party will win over 120 seats, adding that Yeddyruappa dreamt of forming the government.

Watch: Rahul Dravid Arrives to Cast His Vote

Karnataka Records 39% Voter Turnout at 1 PM

Karnataka Elections Crucial: Ram Guha

Historian Ramchandra Guha said the Karnataka elections were crucial for the people of the state, and must not be seen as a precursor to the Lok Sabha elections of 2019.

Clashes Break Out Between Cong, BJP in Bengaluru

Clashes Break Out Between Congress, BJP Workers in Bengaluru

Clashes broke out between Congress and BJP workers outside a polling booth in Hampi Nagar in Bengaluru, allegedly after the former thrashed a BJP corporator.

Ravindra, a BJP candidate, alleged that the police was not taking any action.

It is a sensitive polling booth and clashes between BJP and Congress workers took place within 100 metres from the booth. We will investigate and take further action.
Ravi Channannavar, Bengaluru DCP

Yeddyurappa Is Mentally Disturbed: Siddaramaiah

(Photo: The Quint)

JD(S) Will Cross Magic Number: Kumaraswamy

(Photo: The Quint)

Will Form Govt on 17 May: Yeddyurappa

(Photo: The Quint)

Yeddyurappa Mentally Disturbed: Siddaramaiah

Incumbent Chief Minister Siddaramaiah said BJP’s CM candidate Yeddyurappa was “mentally disturbed," assuring that the Congress will win more than 120 seats.

“We are very, very confident that the Congress will come back to power with complete majority,” said Siddaramaiah, after casting his ballot in Mysuru's Varuna constituency.

PM Praying in Nepal to Influence Voters: Ashok Gehlot

Congress leader Ashok Gehlot, on Saturday, 12 May, said Prime Minister Narendra Modi planned to “pray at temples” in Nepal as the moral code of conduct was in place in Karnataka.

As there is model code of conduct in Karnataka, PM Modi planned to pray at temples in Nepal instead. This was done just to influence voters. This is not a good trend for democracy. Why did he only choose today as the day?
Ashok Gehlot, Congress leader

Bengaluru Records 17% Voter Turnout at 11 AM

Dakshina Karnataka and Udupi recorded the highest voter turnout at 11 am, with 31 percent of the electorate practising their franchise. On the other hand, Bengaluru (Urban) recorded a turnout of 17 percent.

JD(S) Will Cross Magic Number on Its Own: Kumaraswamy

JD(S) leader HD Kumaraswamy, after casting his vote in Ramnagara, said that his party will cross the magic number on its own.

Yathindra Siddaramaiah Speaks After Casting Vote

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24% Voter Turnout Until 11 AM

Karnataka Decides Today: The News Minute Updates from the Ground

Sri Sri Ravishankar Casts Vote

Sri Sri Ravishankar cast his vote at a polling booth in Kanakapura on Saturday, 12 May.

Differently-Abled Person Casts Vote in Badami

A differently-abled person arrived to vote at a polling booth in Badami, from where incumbent CM Siddaramaiah is contesting against BJP’s Sriramulu.

(Photo: ANI)

EVMs Registering Votes Only for BJP: Brijesh Kalpappa

Congress spokesperson Brijesh Kalappa, on Saturday, 12 May, alleged that the EVMs in five booths in RMV II Stage in Bengaluru registered votes only for the BJP.

There are five booths opposite my parents’ apartment at RMV II Stage, Bengaluru. In the second booth, any button pressed registers a vote only to Kamal ke Phool. Angry voters are returning without casting their vote.
Brijesh Kalappa

He also alleged EVM tampering in the Ramanagara, Chamarajpet and Hebbal constituencies. The Congress is taking these issues up with the Election Commission, he added.

Transgender Activist Akkai Padmashali Casts Vote

Transgender rights activist Akkai Padmashali took to Facebook and said that she cast her vote after 16 years.

We Are Confident of Winning: Mallikarjun Kharge

We are confident of winning. The BJP will not win more than 60-70 seats, forget getting 150. They are just dreaming of forming the government.
Mallikarjun Kharge, Congress Leader

Dakshina Karnataka Records Highest Voter Turnout at 9:30 AM

Dakshina Karnataka district recorded the highest voter turnout – 16 percent – till 9.30 am, followed by Udupi district which recorded 15 percent turnout.

Rajayogindra Mahaswami Casts His Vote

Moorusavir Math's Gurusidda Rajayogindra Mahaswami casts his vote in Hubli on Saturday, 12 May.

(Photo: ANI)

Bride Casts Vote Before Wedding

Viola Fernandes from Mangaluru cast her vote at Bondel School before proceeding to Belthangady for her wedding.

Anil Kumble Casts Vote in Bengaluru

Former cricketer Anil Kumble cast his vote from Banashankari in Bengaluru on Saturday, 12 May.

(Photo: The Quint)

10.45% Voting Registered

Around 10.45% voters turned up across Karnataka to exercise their franchise in the Assembly elections till 9 am, reported ANI.

Karnataka Minister KJ George Casts Vote

Karnataka Minister KJ George cast his ballot in Bengaluru, on Saturday, 12 May. He is contesting from the Sarvagnanagar constituency.

(Photo: ANI)

Bengaluru Decides Today: Here's What You Need to Know

Former PM Deve Gowda Casts Ballot

Former prime minister HD Deve Gowda casts his vote at a polling booth in Holenarasipura town in Hassan district on Saturday, 12 May.

We expect a possibility of forming the government as we have done well.
Deve Gowda, Former Prime Minister

Karnataka Voting: Kumaraswamy Meets Sri Adichunchanagiri

JD(S)'s HD Kumaraswamy met Nirmalanandanatha Mahaswami of Sri Adichunchanagiri Mahasamsthana Math in Jayanagar on Saturday.

(Photo: ANI)

Karnataka Voting: Royal Scion Chamaraja Wadiyar Votes in Mysuru

Royal scion Yaduveer Krishnadatta Chamaraja Wadiyar cast his vote in Mysuru on Saturday, 12 May.

Rajeev Chandrasekhar Casts Ballot

BJP MP Rajeev Chandrasekhar cast his ballot at Karnataka Reddyjana Sangha in Bengaluru's Koramangala.

(Photo: ANI)

Vote Without Fail: Amit Shah

“By voting for a deserving candidate, ensure that you fulfil your responsibility to bring a just government to power,” tweeted BJP national president Amit Shah on Saturday, 12 May.

Karnataka Voting: Sriramalu Performs 'Gau Pooja' Before Casting Vote

BJP leader B Sriramalu, who has been fielded against Chief Minister Siddaramaiah in Badami, performed 'gau pooja' (cow worship) before casting his vote.

(Photo: ANI)

Faulty VVPAT Machine Replaced in Hubli

A faulty Voter Verifiable Paper Audit Trail (VVPAT) machine at a booth in Hubli was replaced soon after voting began for 222 Assembly constituencies in Karanataka.

"Uphold Democracy," Tweets Siddaramaiah

Incumbent Chief Minister and Congress leader Siddaramaiah appealed to the youth on Twitter to ‘uphold democracy,’ as polling began for the Karnataka Assembly elections on Saturday, 12 May.

People Line Up to Cast Votes in Badami

People from Badami, the constituency where incumbent Chief Minister Siddaramaiah is contesting, lined up to cast their ballots.

PM Modi Tweets Urging People to Cast Votes

PM Narendra Modi, in a tweet, urged the electorate of Karnataka to come out and vote in large numbers.

BJP Leader & Union Minister Sadanand Gowda Casts Vote

(Photo: ANI)

BJP leader and Union Minister for Statistics and Programme Implementation Sadanand Gowda cast his vote in Karnataka’s Puttur constituency.

Voters Arrive to Cast Votes

Voters arrive to cast their vote at booth number 123A in Karnataka’s Puttur. (Photo: ANI)

BS Yeddyurappa Casts Vote in Shimoga

BJP chief ministerial candidate BS Yeddyurappa exercised his franchise in Shikarpur, Shimoga, on Saturday, 12 May.

BS Yedduurappa Performs Puja Before Voting

BJP chief ministerial candidate BS Yeddyurappa offered prayers at his residence in Bengaluru on Saturday, 12 May, ahead of the Assembly elections in Karnataka. He urged the people of the state to come out and vote.

“It is an auspicious day, everyone should come out and vote. We (BJP) will get more than 150 seats and I'm gonna make the government on 17 May,” said Yeddyurappa.

BS Yeddyurappa performs puja at his residence.(Photo: ANI)

Polling Begins at 7 am, Preparations Underway

Preparations for the polling are underway across 55,600 polling booths in Karnataka. Polling is slated to begin at 7 am.

Polling booth in Mangaluru.(Photo: ANI)
Preparations underway at polling booth in Mangaluru.(Photo: ANI)
Polling booth in Kalaburagi.(Photo: ANI)
Preparations underway at polling booth in Kalaburagi.(Photo: ANI)

MeT Dept Predicts Rainfall, Thunderstorm in State

The India Meteorological Department (IMD) on Friday, 11 May, predicted light to moderate rainfall in Karnataka on Saturday.

“At isolated places, we are expecting heavy rainfall, accompanied with wind. It might also rain during the day but with less frequency," said CS Patil of the IMD.

4.96 Crore Voters to Choose From 2,600 Candidates

Karnataka has an electorate of 4.96 crore voters, who will choose between 2,600 candidates who are contesting the Assembly elections.

While men constitute over 2.52 crore voters, women number 2.44 crore. As many as 4,552 voters are trans persons.

Election Commission sources said over 55,600 polling stations have been set up, as well as some auxiliary booths. Over 3.5 lakh personnel will be on duty to ensure a free and fair election.

Polls Deferred in Jayanagara, Rajarajeshwari Nagar

Polling has been countermanded in Jayanagara following the death of sitting BJP MLA BN Vijaykumar.

On Friday, 11 May, the Election Commission announced its decision to defer polls in Rajarajeshwari Nagar in Bengaluru, where over 9,000 voter IDs were seized from a particular flat.

What the Election Means to Cong, BJP?

The Congress is aiming at retaining the only large state it rules after Punjab, while the BJP is striving to form its government in Karnataka, which party president Amit Shah said will be its "gateway to south", for a second time.

The BJP had ruled the state between 2008 and 2013, the only time it did so, but its tenure was marred by intra-party feuds and allegations of corruption.

One of its three chief ministers and its current chief ministerial candidate BS Yeddyurappa were in jail over corruption charges. JD(S) state president HD Kumaraswamy has conceded it was a “battle for survival” for his party which has been out of power for a decade now.

The Congress is, however, confident of breaking the jinx, with Chief Minister Siddaramaiah saying the party will create history.

I am often told history is against me as no sitting govt in Karnataka has been re-elected in a long time. But we are here to create history and not to obey it.
Siddaramaiah tweeted

Though the BJP launched its campaign, calling it "mission 150 (seats)", Shah told a press conference yesterday (10 May) the party will win over 130 constituencies.

Modi, Rahul Lead Campaigning for their Parties

Prime Minister Narendra Modi undertook an adrenaline-charged campaign for the BJP, while Congress President Rahul Gandhi helmed his party's electoral offensive.

Four current and former chief ministers are also in the fray, including Siddramaiah, who is contesting from Badami and Chamundeshwari, Yeddyurappa from Shikaripura, Kumaraswamy (Chennapatna and Ramanagara), and BJP's Jagdish Shettar from Hubbali-Dharwad.

(At The Quint, we question everything. Play an active role in shaping our journalism by becoming a member today.)

Published: 11 May 2018,10:38 PM IST

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