Karnataka by-polls Updates: Voting has concluded for the by-election to three Lok Sabha — Bellary (reserved), Mandya and Shimoga and two Assembly seats — Ramanagara and Jamkhandi in Karnataka. According to an Election Commission official, voting began at 7 am on a moderate pace amid tight security. The voting process will go on till 6 pm.
There are 6,543 polling booths across the 5 constituencies. A total 31 candidates are in the fray. According to poll body, a total of 54.5 lakh electorate, comprising 27.2 lakh men and 27.3 lakh women, are eligible to take part in the voting process.
The main contest is between the ruling coalition of Congress-JD(S) and opposition BJP. The by-polls are seen as a litmus test for the ruling alliance as it will determine the future of the government in the state where the Congress plays the role of a junior partner despite having more number of seats than the JD(S) of HD Kumaraswamy.
Voters came out in a large number in the five by-elections across Karnataka. An estimated 67 per cent voter turnout was recorded in three Lok Sabha and two assembly constituencies in Karnataka that went to the by-polls Saturday. Counting of votes will be held on November 6.
Karnataka: 61.05 %, 63.85% and 53.93 % voting recorded in parliamentary constituencies Shimoga, Bellary & Mandya respectively. 73.71 and 81.58 voting recorded in legislative assembly constituencies Ramanagaram and Jamkhandi respectively. Voting has concluded.
State BJP chief B S Yeddyurappa's son BY Raghavendra is testing his fortunes in Shivamogga against another former chief minister S Bangarappa's son Madhu Bangarappa of the JD(S).
Among the prominent candidates in the fray is Chief Minister H D Kumaraswamy's wife Anita Kumaraswamy, who is expected to have a smooth sail as she is facing virtually no-contest in Ramanagara after BJP nominee L Chandrashekhar withdrew from the contest and rejoined the Congress, in a jolt days before the polls.
The by-elections are being seen as a litmus test for the ruling Congress-JD(S) coalition as its outcome is expected to have a bearing on the state's political scenario.
About 35% voting has been recorded till 1 pm in the first half of the by-polls. While the Lok Sabha constituencies of Shivamogga, Ballari and Mandya have recorded 30.20, 35.72, 26.80% voting, respectively, till 1 pm, the assembly segments of Ramanagara and Jamkhandi reported 39.81 and 43.50% respectively. Voting will end at 6 pm.
In all, a total of 31 candidates are in the fray. While 5 are from the BJP, 3 from the Congress and two from the Janata Dal(Secular). 21 others as Independents or from regional outfits.
In this parliamentary constituency, senior BJP leader Sriramulu's sister, J Shantha, is fighting against V S Ugrappa of the Congress. The seat was won by BJP's B Sreeramulu in the previous Lok Sabha polls held in 2014 but he vacated the seat earlier this year to contest the assembly polls.
The Shivamogga parliamentary seat is keenly watched by everyone, credit high profile candidates who are trying their luck. The three main contenders in the fray are sons of former CMs of Karnataka. While BY Raghavendra is the son of BS Yeddyurappa, the Congress-JD(S) combine has fielded Madhu Bangarappa who is the son of former CM S Bangarappa. The third candidate who is in the race is JD(U) nominee Mahima Patel, son of late CM JH Patel. CLICK HERE TO READ MORE
Karnataka BJP president BS Yeddyurappa's son BY Raghavendra is contesting from Shimoga Lok Sabha seat. Yeddyurappa had won from here in the 2014 Lok Sabha polls but he quit earlier this year to contest the assembly poll.
Among the prominent candidates in the fray is Anita Kumaraswamy, wife of CM Kumaraswamy. She is contesting the elections from Ramanagara. She is expected to have a smooth sail after BJP nominee L Chandrashekhar withdrew and rejoined the Congress. The BJP had raised the matter with the Election Commission and demanded to annul the elections.
As per the electoral understanding for the by-polls between the ruling partners -- Congress and JD(S), the Congress has fielded its candidates in Jamkhandi and Ballari whereas the JD(S) is contesting in Shivamogga, Ramanagara and Mandya.
On the other hand, the opposition BJP has been questioning the longevity of the Congress-JD(S) government and has predicted that it will fall when the results are out. Results will be declared on Tuesday.
Parliamentary constituencies Bellary 4.40%, Shimoga 8.61% and Mandya 4.18%. Legislative assembly constituencies Jamkhandi 9% and Ramnagar 8%. Voting began at 7 am in all the five seats and will go till 6 pm. Results will be declared on Tuesday.
Anand Nyamagouda, Congress' nominee from Jamkhandi, casts his vote at a polling booth here. The ruling Congress-JD(S) coalition headed by HD Kumaraswamy is facing a litmus test as three Lok Sabha and two assembly constituencies go to bypolls today.
Voting was delayed at polling booth in Mottedoddi of Ramanagaram after a snake was found inside the centre. The process of voting resumed shortly after the snake was safely removed from the premises.
In Jamkhandi assembly seats, Congress candidate Anand Nyamagowda is contesting against Srikant Kulkarni of the BJP. Anand is son of former MLA Siddu Nyamagouda. Jamkhandi constituency is a part of Bagalkot district. In the Assembly polls held earlier this year, senior Congress leader Siddu Bhimappa Nyamgoud had won from here but he died in a road accident later.
Former CM BS Yeddyurappa and BJP leader said that his son BS Raghavendra will surely win from the Shimoga Lok Sabha seat. Speaking to reporters after exercising his franchise here, the BJP leader said: "101% my son is going to win the Shimoga seat. We are also going to win Bellary and Jamkhandi. We will get absolute majority in all the constituencies."
According to the Election Commission, 8,922 voter verifiable paper audit trail (VVPAT) machines are being used in the by elections today.
Tight security arrangements are in place to ensure smooth conduct of elections: According to election officials, a total of 1,502 polling stations had been declared as sensitive.Polling will end at 6 pm in all the five constituencies. More than 35,000 polling personnel will be on duty for the bypolls.
Senior BJP leader and former Karnataka CM BS Yeddyurappa casts his vote at a polling booth in ward no 132 at Shikaripura in Shimoga. Voting for 3 parliamentary constituencies Bellary, Shimoga, Mandya and 2 legislative assembly constituencies Jamkhandi, Ramanagaram began at 7 am today. The elections are crucial for both the ruling Congress-JD(S) coalition and opposition BJP.