Karnataka Election Live: Voting Concludes With 65.69 Per Cent Voter Turnout Logged Till 5 PM
Karnataka Election 2023 Live: Polling is underway in Karnataka after days of high-octane campaigning by major political parties. Follow Live Updates here.
A day ahead of Karnataka Assembly Elections results, Congress Leader Gourav Vallabh said: "We are more concerned about the five guarantees, we are discussing about the structure of their implementation".
Congress party General Secretary in-charge Communications Jairam Ramesh said: "During the Bharat Jodo Yatra, we were there for 27 days in Karnataka and visited 7 districts. We don’t have any doubt. We will get majority votes. We have promised 5 guarantees in our manifesto, and because of these guarantees Congress is guaranteed to win".
The voting in Karnataka has come to an end with the voters sealing the fate of political parties. 65.69 per cent voter turnout was recorded till 5pm.
65.69 per cent voter turnout has been recorded till 5 pm.
Kannada actor Dhruva Sarja reached the polling station and cast his vote in Bengaluru. Actor Yash also cast his vote at a polling booth in Padmanabhanagar
A voter turnout of 52.03 per cent recorded till 3 pm
BJP's govt will be formed in Karnataka, says Union Minister Sarbananda Sonowal.
Kannada actor Kiccha Sudeep after casting his vote in Bengaluru, says, "Issues are individuals and one should keep their issues in mind and vote accordingly. I've not come here as a celebrity, I've come here as an Indian and it's my responsibility."
JD(S) chief and former Prime Minister HD Devegowda casts his vote for Karnataka assembly polls.
Karnataka Congress president and party's candidate from Kanakpura, DK Shivakumar drives an auto in the constituency.
According to the data of the Election Commission, a voter turnout of 37.25 per cent was recorded till 1 PM in Karnataka.
Sons of veteran Kannada actor Ravichandran - Manoranjan and Vikram cast their votes for Karnataka assembly elections.
Kannada actor Shiva Rajkumar and his wife and Congress leader Geetha Shivarajkumar cast their votes for the Karnataka polls.
Congress national president Mallikarjun Kharge and his wife Radhabai Kharge cast their votes at a polling booth in Kalaburagi.
Congress national president Mallikarjun Kharge says in Kalaburagi, "...Congress party will win the election with a thumping majority...We will get more than 130-135 seats."
Former Karnataka CM & JDS leader HD Kumaraswamy says, "We are requesting people to bless JDS candidates to get proper development. Our party will not only be the kingmaker but the King."
After a bit of slow voting, the turnout has picked up to 20.94 percent in Karnataka till 11 am.
Former Karnataka CM & JDS leader HD Kumaraswamy casts his vote for Karnataka elections, at a polling booth in Ramanagara.
Former cricketer Javagal Srinath cast his vote at a polling station in Mysuru. He says, "...I request people to come, vote & choose a good leader for good democracy. I also voted...We must participate in democracy..."
"No chances, we will form the government on our own," says Karnataka Congress president DK Shivakumar when asked about the possibilities of a post-poll alliance with JDS.
Former Karnataka CM and Congress candidate from Varuna constituency, Siddaramaiah casts his vote.
Congress workers garland an LPG gas cylinder and burn incense sticks near it, in Bengaluru's Rajarajeshwari Nagar area.
BJP MP Tejasvi Surya casts his vote for Karnataka Elections 2023, at a polling booth in Bengaluru.
Congress leader and former CM Siddaramaiah says, "I've been constantly saying that Congress will get 130 plus seats, it may go up to 150 seats also."
Karnataka CM Basavaraj Bommai says, "Congress track record about corruption - a lot of people are out on bail. There are corruption charges and more than 60 cases have been filed with Lokayukta against former CM and others. What are they saying...?"
"We will get a clear majority with more than 125 seats. There are 2-3 people (for the CM post) but High Command and MLAs will decide: Ramalinga Reddy, Karnataka Congress working president.
A voter turnout of 8.26 percent was recorded till 9 am in Karnataka, as per official data of Election Commission.
Karnataka CM Basavaraj Bommai says, "I am 100% confident that we will come back with a comfortable majority."
Union Minister Shobha Karandlaje says, "Development is the main issue of this election. I request everyone to vote and participate in this festival of democracy," urging people to vote in large numbers.
"He (Basavaraj Bommai) will win with more than 50,000 votes. BJP is winning the election and will get more than 150 seats," says the wife of Karnataka CM Basavaraj Bommai
Jagadish Shettar, former Karnataka CM and Congress candidate from Hubli-Dharwad Central Assembly constituency cast his vote for Karnataka Assembly Election 2023.
"Very good response from the people. There is an undercurrent. People from all castes, everybody is working and voting for me. Congress & Jagadish Shettar will get elected with a huge margin
BJP MP Tejasvi Surya took a jibe at Congress as he said, "Karnataka which is the land of Bajrang Bali will answer all these things on 13th May. We welcome DK Shivakumar and Congress party offering prayers to LPG cylinders, we are happy that Congress is doing some kind of puja at least."
"I am 200% confident Congress party will have 141 seats. We will win an absolute majority..," says Karnataka Congress president DK Shivakumar
His wife said, "I am 100% that my husband will win. Congress govt will come. It (The Kerala Story) will not have any effect in Karnataka. I appeal to people to vote for Congress."
Congress party's sitting MLA and candidate from Chittapur assembly constituency, Priyank Kharge alleges that "polling stopped in booth 178 Chamnur village as the Presiding Officer is prompting/influencing people to vote for BJP."
Karnataka Congress president and party's candidate from Kanakapura, DK Shivakumar offers prayers at Sri Kenkeramma Temple in Kanakapura, Ramanagara. His brother and party MP DK Suresh is also with him.
Asking people to vote in large numbers, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi said 'Let's build a 40-per cent-commission-free government' as he also asked the people to vote for women's rights, youth employment, and betterment of the poor'.
In a tweet in Hindi, Gandhi said, "Karnataka's vote… for 5 guarantees, for women's rights, for youth employment, for the upliftment of the poor. Come, vote in large numbers. Let's build a 40%-commission-free, progressive Karnataka together."
RSS General Secretary Dattatreya Hosabale casts his vote for the Karnataka elections.
Karnataka CM Basavaraj Bommai talks to the media after casting his vote.
He said, "I've voted and done my duty towards democracy. It's a privilege to vote in my constituency. I will win by a record margin. People of Karnataka will vote for positive development and BJP will get a comfortable majority."
Kannada actor Ganesh and his wife arrive at a polling booth in RR nagar, Bengaluru to cast their votes. Actor Ramesh Aravind also arrives at a polling booth in Bengaluru to cast his vote.
Co-founder of Infosys, Nandan Nilekani casts his vote at a polling booth in Koramangala, Bengaluru.
"I always tell them (youth) to come and vote and then you have the power to talk, without voting you do not have any power to talk," says Sudha Murty after casting vote.
"First, we vote and then we can say this is good, this is not good but if we don't do that then we don't have the right to criticise," says Infosys founder Narayana Murthy after casting his vote in Bengaluru.
BJP leader BY Vijayendra says, "This is my first election and I am happy that the party gave me the opportunity to contest. I'm blessed to contest from the Shikaripura seat. People are fed up with hung assembly and I am confident that BJP will get majority."
He added, "Modi's magic will give us absolute majority. We will win at least 130 seats in this election. Not only Lingayat community, but all other castes are also with BJP. Congress will lose the election very badly."
"I request all people to cast their votes as early as possible. I am 100 per cent sure they will vote in favour of the BJP. More than 75-80 percent will support BJP. We will win 130-135 seats," says Former Karnataka CM and senior BJP leader BS Yediyurappa.
"I am very happy with the way our party conducted the campaign and the way people have reacted. I appeal to people to come and vote for the development of Karnataka," says Karnataka CM Basavaraj Bommai.
Union FM Nirmala Sitharaman, after casting her vote in Bengaluru says, "...On inflation, I am with the public that yes, there should not be a burden on them but the Opposition has no right (to speak on it). They should look at their own tenure..."
Former Karnataka CM and senior BJP leader BS Yediyurappa talks to the media after casting his vote.
He says, "BY Vijayendra is going to get more than 40,000 votes here. We will get the absolute majority and will form the govt, there is no doubt about it. People's response is very good."
Former CM and senior BJP leader BS Yediyurappa, along with his family, reaches Shikarpur Administrative Building to cast his vote.
Karnataka Home Minister Araga Jnanendra and his family cast their votes in Thirthahalli.
Kannada actress Amulya and her husband cast their votes at a polling booth in RR Nagar, Bengaluru.
Union Finance Minister and BJP leader Nirmala Sitharaman arrives at a polling booth in Bengaluru to cast her vote.
Former Karnataka CM and senior BJP leader BS Yediyurappa visits and offers prayers at Raghavendra Swamy Mutt in Shikaripura, along with his family.
His son, BY Vijayendra is contesting from the Assembly constituency.
Karnataka Minister CN Ashwath Narayan casts his vote for at a polling booth in Bengaluru . "I request all people to come and cast their votes," he says.
Congress Chief Mallikarjun Kharge says the people of Karnataka have decided that they shall choose a progressive, transparent & welfare-oriented government.
"Today, it is time vote in large numbers. We welcome our first time voters to participate in this democratic process for a better future," he tweeted.
Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Wednesday asked voters to vote for good governance in Karnataka.
"On voting day, I urge our sisters and brothers of Karnataka to come out in large numbers to vote for good governance, development and prosperity in the state. Your one vote can ensure a pro-people and pro-progress govt that will continue to take the state to newer heights," he said in a tweet.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi asks people to vote in large numbers in Karnataka.
He tweeted, "Urging the people of Karnataka, particularly young and first time voters to vote in large numbers and enrich the festival of democracy."
Siddalinga Swami of Siddaganga mutt casts his vote for Karnataka elections at a polling booth in Tumakuru.
Actor Prakash Raj arrives at the polling booth in St. Joseph's School in Shanti Nagar, Bengaluru to cast his vote for Karnataka Assembly polls.
Voting Begins For 224-Member Legislative Assembly of Karnataka.
Background
Karnataka Election 2023 Live: Voting is underway in Karnataka days after aggressive campaigning by the BJP, Congress and the JD(S). The result of the election will be declared on May 13. The Karnataka election campaign came to an end on Monday (May 8). Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Home Minister Amit Shah, Former Congress General Secretary Sonia Gandhi, Rahul Gandhi, and Priyanka Gandhi have all campaigned in the state. Apart from national political leaders, Karnataka saw campaigning from various state chief ministers such as Assam's Himanta Biswa Sarma, Uttar Pradesh's Yogi Adityanath, and Madhya Pradesh's Shivraj Singh Chouhan.
PM HELD 19 RALLIES
Prime Minister Narendra Modi alone held 19 election rallies and 6 roadshows across Karnataka during the campaigning season. PM Modi also held a shorter roadshow on Sunday, on a different route the day after a three-hour roadshow in Bengaluru. With only two days until the election, the party had gone all-in on leveraging the PM for one last push to retain power in what is expected to be a closely contested election.
Apart from the prime minister, BJP President JP Nadda addressed 10 public rallies and 16 roadshows, while Amit Shah attended 16 gatherings and 15 roadshows. Union Minister Smriti Irani attended 17 meetings and two roadshows, Rajnath Singh attended four meetings, Nitin Gadkari three, and Nirmala Sitharaman addressed eight election gatherings.
A total of 5,31,33,054 electors are eligible to cast their votes in 58,545 polling stations across the state, where 2,615 candidates are in the fray.
Among the electors, 2,67,28,053 are male, 2,64,00,074 female and 4,927 "others", while among the candidates 2,430 are male, 184 female and one from the third gender.
As many as 11,71,558 are young voters, while 5,71,281 are persons with disabilities (PWDs) and 12,15,920 are aged above 80. While the ruling BJP, riding on the Modi juggernaut, wants to break the 38-year jinx and retain its southern citadel, the Congress is seeking to wrest power to give the party much-needed elbow room and momentum to position itself as the main opposition player in the 2024 Lok Sabha elections.
Also what needs to be watched out for, is whether former Prime Minister H D Deve Gowda-led Janata Dal (Secular), will emerge as a "kingmaker" by holding the key for government formation, in the event of a hung verdict, as it has done in the past. "A government with full majority" seemed to be the favourite slogan for the leaders of all the political parties during campaigning, as they stressed on getting a clear mandate to form a strong and stable government in the state, unlike what happened after the 2018 polls.
A total of 75,603 Ballot Units (BU), 70,300 Control Units (CU) and 76,202 voter verifiable paper audit trail (VVPAT) are slated to be used during voting.
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