Bengaluru, April 26 (UNI) The ongoing Lok Sabha elections in Karnataka witnessed a significant 63.90% voter turnout by 5 pm, as per data released by the Election Commission of India.
Citizens exercised their democratic rights as voting commenced at 7 am across 14 constituencies in South Karnataka, including Bengaluru. Mandya emerged with the highest polling percentage, recording a 74.87% voter turnout, while Bengaluru Central registered the lowest participation rate at 48.61%.
In Bengaluru, the voter turnout varied across regions, with Bengaluru North leading at 50.04%, followed closely by South at 49.37%, and Central at 48.61%. Bengaluru Rural witnessed a turnout of 61.78%, while Chikkaballapur marked 70.97%.
Long queues were observed at numerous polling booths in Bengaluru, with voters eager to cast their ballots early to avoid the heat. However, complaints about missing names from the voter list surfaced, hindering some individuals from voting.
Prominent figures such as Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, Infosys Co-Founder Narayana Murthy, and former cricket stalwart Rahul Dravid emphasized the importance of voting, urging citizens to participate actively in the electoral process.
While Bengaluru's Lok Sabha constituencies remain BJP strongholds, the Congress aims to make inroads, particularly in Bengaluru South and Bengaluru Central. Key battles include BJP's Tejasvi Surya against Congress' Sowmya Reddy in Bengaluru South and BJP's PC Mohan against Congress' Mansoor Ali Khan in Bengaluru Central.
Outside Bengaluru, other constituencies also displayed significant voter engagement, with Udupi Chikkamagalur recording a high turnout of 72.13%, followed by Hassan (72.13%), Tumkur (72.10%), Dakshin Kannada (71.83%), Kolar (71.26%), Chamrajnagar (69.60%), Mysuru (65.85%), and Chitradurga (67%).
To ensure a smooth electoral process, the Election Commission deployed approximately 1.40 lakh polling officers across the state, supported by 5,000 micro-observers and 50,000 civil police officers. Additionally, 65 companies of the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) and Reserved Armed Forces were mobilized to maintain law and order.
Recognizing the challenge of urban apathy, proactive measures were implemented to enhance voter turnout, particularly in metropolitan areas like Bengaluru. Special efforts were made to mitigate the impact of extreme heatwave conditions and ensure accessibility for senior citizens and persons with disabilities.
As the day progresses, analysts anticipate the turnout numbers to evolve, providing insights into the factors influencing voter participation in different regions of the state.
The meticulous planning and proactive initiatives undertaken by the Election Commission stand as pillars of support, ensuring the integrity and inclusivity of the democratic exercise in Karnataka.
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