New Delhi, May 10 : Karnataka commenced its Assembly elections on Wednesday with voting starting at 7 am. According to the Election Commission, the approximate voter turnout stood at 7.83% by 9 am. A total of 2,615 candidates across various parties are contesting in the polls, which will determine their electoral fates. The district of Dakshina Kannada witnessed the highest voter turnout at 12.47% during this period.
The voting is taking place for 224 assembly constituencies in Karnataka. The Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) Central recorded a voter turnout of 7.89%, BBMP (North) at 7.55%, BBMP (South) at 8.22%, Bagalkot at 8.52%, Bangalore Rural at 7.72%, Bangalore Urban at 9.11%, Belgaum at 7.47%, and Bellary at 8.84% till 9 am.
These assembly elections are of significant importance for the ruling BJP, as they aim to secure another term in power, and for the Congress, as they seek a resurgence in electoral fortunes. Prominent leaders such as Union Finance Minister Niramala Sitharaman, Karnataka Chief Minister Basavraj Bommai, State Minister K Sudhakar, and Congress State President DK Shivakumar were among the early voters.
