Karnataka Election 2023 Highlights: Scindia certain BJP will win in Karnataka

"Karnataka has created a new record for itself. Final voter turnout for Karnataka Election 2023 stands at 73.19 per cent," said the Chief Electoral Office, Karnataka.

The highest voter participation was in Chikkaballapura district (85.56%), followed by Bengaluru Rural (85.08%), and the lowest was in Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) South limits (parts of Bengaluru city) (52.33%), according to the official data.

The Election Commission (EC) reported "largely peaceful voting in all 224 Assembly constituencies in Karnataka, and no repoll indicated in any of the 58,545 polling stations."

Jyotiraditya Scindia, minister of civil aviation, expressed confidence that the BJP would win the Karnataka election, said that instead of focussing on 'exit or entry' polls, one should wait for the people's verdict.

The Election Commission (EC) rejected the Congress's claim that the electronic voting machines used in the May 10 Karnataka Assembly polls were previously deployed in South Africa, and urged the party to "publicly expose" the sources that had disseminated such incorrect information.

The EC claimed in a letter to Congressman Randeep Singh Surjewala that it had used brand-new EVMs produced by Electronics Corporation of India Limited for the state elections.

AsKarnatakagears up for Assembly elections on May 10, Prime MinisterNarendraModi wrote an open letter to the people of the state, highlighting his party's commitment toKarnataka'sgrowth and development. TheBJPis aiming to break a 38-year-old anti-incumbency factor and win a second consecutive term.

He highlighted theBJPgovernment's success in attracting foreign investment during the COVID-19 pandemic, withKarnatakareceiving over ₹90,000 crore annually, compared to ₹30,000 crore under the previous government.

The exit poll numbers for this year's election, which were released today, shows that Karnataka will be having a hung Assembly with the Congress as the largest party.

An analysis of the exit poll figures released by prominentagencies shows that the Congress is expected to win around an average of 109 seats, while the BJP and the JDS could win in 90 and 24 constituencies, respectively.

Congress leaderManickamTagore has accused Prime MinisterNarendraModi of a breach of parliamentary privilege for attributing the "Karnatakasovereignty" remark to Sonia Gandhi and urged LokSabhaSpeaker OmBirlato send the matter to the privileges committee of Parliament.

In a letter to the Speaker, the Congress whip in LokSabhaclaimed that PM Modi has disseminated "sensitive false information" among the public.

Karnataka CM Basavaraj Bommai confidently says, "We will get an absolute majority and form a stable government."

The Karnataka exit polls were keenly watched by those who have an interest in electoral politics. The numbers projected by different polls varied across a wide range. Yet, a few trends were discernible in those numbers. Read More

The index finger of the wrong hand was inked on May 10 by Union minister Bhagwanth Khuba and former chief minister Siddaramaiah. Officials who erred have been promised action by the Election Commission following the investigation into the incidents.

Both parties adopted different strategies to woo the voters in Karnataka, with the BJP emphasizing its development plank and the Congress focusing on local issues.

Leaders from both parties levelled accusations against each other almost in every public meeting during the polls held on Wednesday.

Hubballi, Karnataka:...'Last time, they (exit polls) predicted only 80 seats for BJP & 107 for Congress but it came reverse...we're confident with our ground reports and we will come with comfortable majority': CM Basavaraj Bommai

Bengaluru, which has always had a dubious distinction of low polling percentage during elections despite its high civic engagement, has seemingly continued this trend even in the 2023 Assembly polls. This was despite the Election Commission ensuring that it be held on Wednesday so its not a long weekend, and ensured that offices give their employees a day off so that they can vote. Read More

Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel on May 10 said that he hopes BJP will learn a lesson on May 13, the day when Karnataka Assembly elections results will be announced. Exit polls predicted Congress would edge the BJP in Karnataka.

With four exit polls giving it a full majority, and some predicting a hung assembly, Congress is expected to have a clear advantage in the assembly elections held on Wednesday.