Polling in Karnataka's three Assembly constituencies was peaceful with a voter turnout of 78.44 percent till 6 pm on Wednesday.
Published Nov 13, 2024 | 9:49 PM ⚊ Updated Nov 13, 2024 | 9:49 PM
The three Assembly that went to bypolls recorded 78.44 percent turnout till 6 pm. (Supplied)
Polling in Karnataka’s three Assembly constituencies was peaceful with a voter turnout of 78.44 percent till 6 pm on Wednesday, 13 November.
As many as 45 candidates were in the fray in Channapatna, Shiggaon and Sandur (ST reserved) that went to bypolls.
Voters, from first-timers to the elderly, enthusiastically participated in the election process. Long queues were seen outside several polling stations in the morning itself.
In Shiggaon’s Savanur, a few families boycotted the polls despite officials’ efforts to bring them to the polling booths. They were protesting against the government not distributing title deeds to their houses.
Chief Minister Siddaramaiah exuded confidence in Congress winning all three Assembly seats. The NDA alliance – BJP and JD(S) – claimed they would defeat the ruling Congress party in all three seats.
The results will be declared on 23 November.
Voters in Channapatna turned out in huge numbers to cast their votes as the Assembly segment recorded the highest voter turnout of 88.80 percent, compared to the past two assembly polls.
Channapatna saw a consistent and enthusiastic voter turnout throughout the day, starting with 10.34 percent at 9 am.
#Karnataka By-poll Update: Long queues were seen outside polling stations across the #Channapatna assembly segment during the first three hours of polling.
As of 9 am, Channapatna reported a 10.34% voter turnout.
For live updates: https://t.co/4l8hmQzYZ8 pic.twitter.com/aKp0S86oYG
— South First (@TheSouthfirst) November 13, 2024
By 11 am, the voter turnout increased significantly to 27.02 percent, setting a positive tone for the day. The momentum held steady into the afternoon, with nearly half of the voters (48.15 percent) casting their ballots by 1 pm.
This upward trend continued with a 67.63 percent turnout by 3 pm, reflecting the dedication of the local electorate. As the polls neared the closing time, Channapatna recorded an impressive 84.26 percent by 5 pm. By the end of polling, the constituency approximately recorded 88.80 percent turnout.
In the 2018 and 2023 elections, Channapatna recorded turnouts of 86.86 percent and 85.86 percent, respectively.
Congress candidate CP Yogeeshwara is taking on NDA nominee and JD(S) Youth Wing president Nikhil Kumaraswamy, the son of JD(S) state president and Union Minister for Steel and Heavy Industries HD Kumaraswamy.
After casting his vote at Chakkere in Channapatna, Yogeeshwara told reporters “The atmosphere in the constituency is positive, and it seems that people are leaning in favour of the government. Voter turnout has been encouraging, and I am optimistic about a victory in this by-election.”
#Karntaka: @INCKarnataka‘ Channapatna candidate, CP Yogeeshwara, expressed confidence about his chances in the assembly by-polls.
After casting his vote in his hometown, Yogeeshwara told reporters: “The atmosphere in the constituency is positive, and it seems that people are… pic.twitter.com/mcHwhlOjNZ
— South First (@TheSouthfirst) November 13, 2024
“Voting is a civic duty, and we encouraged everyone, including government officials, to participate. The public is enthusiastically engaging in the electoral process for this by-poll, and I am confident of a successful outcome,” he exuded confidence.
Meanwhile, NDA candidate Nikhil Kumaraswamy also expressed confidence over recording his maiden victory in the elections.
Shiggaon recorded a decent voter turnout recording approximately 75.07 percent of voters turning out till 6 pm.
The constituency exhibited a steady turnout from the morning hours, reaching 10.08 percent by 9 am as voters began arriving at polling stations.
The momentum built up by 11 am, reaching 26.01 percent, indicating solid early participation. By 1 pm, 43.50 percent of the electorate had already cast their votes, reflecting the steady interest among voters.
As the day advanced, Shiggaon’s turnout climbed further, reaching 59.62 percent by 3 pm, showcasing a community that remained committed throughout the day.
With an hour left, the turnout rose again, peaking at 75.07 percent by 6 pm, reflecting strong engagement and determination among the voters.
“I am excited to take part in the electoral process for the very first time. I travelled from Shivamogga to exercise my franchise,” first-time voter Jahnavi K told reporters at Shiggaon.
#Karnataka: First-time voter Jhanavi K casts her vote at Shiggaon town for assembly by-polls.
Jhanavi, who travelled from Shivamogga, expressed the importance of exercising her franchise. She urges fellow youths to turn up in large numbers and vote.
For live… pic.twitter.com/C2QAL5y2gw
— South First (@TheSouthfirst) November 13, 2024
Compared to the turnout in the last two Assembly polls, Shiggaon recorded approximately five percent less voter turnout. In 2018 and 2023, the constituency recorded 80.46 percent and 80.35 percent, respectively.
“Ever since I received my voter ID card, I have consistently voted in the Shiggaon Assembly segment. Previously, my father was the nominee, and now I am the candidate,” BJP candidate Bharat Bommai said.
#Karnataka: @BJP4Karnataka‘s Shiggaon nominee Bharat Bommai exudes confidence in winning in the assembly by-polls.
Bharat Bommai, speaking to reporters in Shiggaon, said, “Ever since I received my voter ID, I have consistently voted in the Shiggaon assembly segment. Previously,… pic.twitter.com/xE6RWHC6D1
— South First (@TheSouthfirst) November 13, 2024
When asked about his strategy for the Assembly by-polls, Bommai remarked around 60 Congress MLAs and 10 ministers campaigned against him in Shiggaon. “This election has essentially become Bommai versus the government. The people will make their decision today, and the results will be announced on 23 November,” he said.
Congress candidate Yasir Ahmed Khan Pathan said he was confident in defeating former chief minister Basavaraj Bommai’s son Bharat Bommai.
The Sandur reserved Assembly segment recorded an approximate voter turnout of 71.47 percent till 6 pm.
Polling was lowkey initially and turnout reached 25.96 percent at 11 am. The turnout gained momentum and touched 43.46 per cent by 1 pm. By 3 pm, Sandur reported 58.27 per cent, highlighting that a considerable portion of the electorate made it to the polling stations in the afternoon hours. The segment wrapped up the day at 6 pm with 71.47 percent.
The voter turnout in these by-polls was lesser compared to the 2018 and 2023 Assembly polls, where it had reported a turnout of 77.39 percent and 74.57 percent, respectively.
Congress nominee Annapoorna Tukaram is contesting against BJP’s candidate Bangaru Hanumanthu, the party’s state ST Morcha president.
After casting her vote at Sandur, Annapoorna Tukaram said people were expecting her to work and meet their expectations. “I’m receiving positive responses from across the constituency.”
#Karnataka By-poll Update:@INCKarnataka‘ Sandur (ST) nominee Annapoorna Tukaram expressed strong confidence in her victory after casting her vote. Speaking to reporters in #Sandur, she said, “There is a responsibility on us to work as per the people’s expectations. I’m getting… pic.twitter.com/Us1iwaUetN
— South First (@TheSouthfirst) November 13, 2024
“In rural areas, women voters have participated in the election with excitement. It is cent percent sure that I will win to strengthen the Congress forte in Sandur,” Annapoorna sounded confident.
BJP candidate Bangaru Hanumanthu claimed that the party would breach the Congress Sandur fort as the people have voted for a change.
Around 35 to 40 families dwelling in the Dandinapette locality in Savanur town boycotted the polling due to the state government’s failure to provide title deeds to their houses.
“We have been residing in this locality for several decades. The government is yet to provide title deeds for our houses,” a voter told reporters.
“The documents pertaining to our houses have been altered. Hence, condemning the injustice being meted out to us, we have decided to boycott polling,” Kundagol told Prajavani.
“In Dandinapette, even before the polling, around 42 families had announced that they would boycott the elections. Assistant Commissioner and Tahsildar met the families and convinced them to cast their votes, saying the matter is before the court,” Haveri District Commissioner Vijayamahantesh B Danammanavar told South First.
“We managed to convince most of them. Some of the families turned up to cast their votes. Around seven to eight families had boycotted the polls. Apart from these families, most of them have voted in the by-poll,” Danammanavar said adding that there were no law and order issues in the constituency.
(Edited by Ananya Rao).
