Karnataka Election 2023 Highlights: 7.8% voter turn-out registered till 9 am

Karnataka election updates: A straight four for Bommai? 

Karnataka chief minister, Basavaraj Bommai, is the BJP’s candidate from Shiggaon in Haveri district, where he is pitted against Congress’ Yasir Ahmed Khan Pathan.

Son of former Karnataka chief minister the late Somappa Rayappa Bommai, the 63-year-old is seeking re-election from Shiggaon for the fourth consecutive term.

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I am 200 percent confident Congress will have 141 seats in Karnataka and will an absolute majority: DK Shivakumar.

Karnataka 2023 Elections LIVE: JD(S) Outlook

The JD(S) fronted by 89-year-old former Prime Minister HD Deve Gowda is putting all its might ito emerge as "king" and form the full majority government. The party has run a highly localised campaign, led by HD Kumaraswamy and support from Gowda (especially in the Old Mysuru region), and is looking to re-emerge as an major political force not kingmaker to make majority. And while national parties the BJP and Congress have referred to the JD(S) as 'B Team', Kumaraswamy has focused on the Kannadiga identity, welfare issues, the poor and farmers issues during campaigning.

Karnataka polls will be key for Congress' revival ahead of 2024 Lok Sabha elections

Karnataka Elections 2023 LIVE: Elaborate security arrangements made, say poll officials

-- Poll officials said " elaborate security arrangements" for smooth conduction of elections
-- Forces from neighbouring states have also been deployed \
-- These include: 84,119 State Police Officers and 58,500 CAPF (Central Armed Police Forces )
-- Police in 650 CoYs (companies) are on law & order and security duty
-- 'Critical Polling Stations' are covered by one or more of the measures like Micro Observers, Webcasting and CCTVs to keep a watch on the polling process as force multipliers.

Karnataka Assembly Elections 2023 LIVE: Past voter turnout

The voter turnout in the 2018 polls was 72.36 percent. In a bidto check apathy among voters, the Election Commission has come up with the idea of holding the poll in the middle of the week to prevent people planning an outing by clubbing the poll-day holiday with the weekend break.

Karnataka Elections 2023 LIVE: 

"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. 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," says BJP leader BY Vijayendra

Karnataka Assembly Polls Voting LIVE: BJP Outlook

The BJP's focus has been centralised, with campaigns on 'double-engine' government, PM Modi and achievements of the Centre being highlighted. in fact, since announcement of the polls Modi has visited Karnataka seven times this year so far, and conducted a juggernaut campaign trail last week. His presence in the state has boosted party morale and confidence ahead of the impending polls on May 10.
Other BJP leaders on the campaign trail include Amit Shah, JP Nadda, Nirmala Sitharaman, S Jaishankar, Nitin Gadkari, and other state CMs like UP's Yogi Adityanath, Assam's Himanta Biswa Sarma, Madya Pradesh's Shivraj Singh Chouhan, and Goa's Pramod Sawant.
The party is hoping for clear majority this time and has focussed efforts on the Old Mysuru region, where traditionally it has been weak.

Karnataka Elections 2023: 

Union Minister and BJP MP from Dharwad constituency, Pralhad Joshi is at a polling booth in Hubballi. "I'm happy that people are celebrating this festival of democracy in a big way. People are interested to bring BJP's double-engine govt. BJP will form govt on its own," he told ANI.

Karnataka Elections 2023 Polling LIVE: Voter numbers and demographics

-- 5,31,33,054 electors are eligible to cast their vote for 2,615 possible candidates.
-- 2,67,28,053 voters are male, 2,64,00,074 are female and 4,927 are "others"
-- 58,545 polling stations have been provided
-- 75,603 Ballot Units (BU), 70,300 Control Units (CU) and 76,202 voter verifiable paper audit trail (VVPAT) prepared.

Alert: 

Karnataka registers 7.8 percent voter turn-out till 9 am on May 10

Karnataka 2023 Elections Polling LIVE: Prominent personalities exercise their franchise

-- Infosys co-founder Nandan Nilekani casts his vote at a polling booth in Koramangala, Bengaluru.
-- BJP Karnataka president Nalin Kumar Kateel is queued at a Mangalore polling booth to vote
-- Kannada actor Ramesh Aravind arrives to cast his vote at a Bengaluru polling booth
-- Kannada actor Ganesh, wife are at a RR Nagar polling booth in Bengaluru to vote

Karnataka 2023 Elections LIVE Updates: Narayan Murthy and Sudha Murty speak to media after voting

"It is the responsibility of the elders to sit down with youngsters and advise them why voting is important. That's what my parents did," says Infosys founder Narayana Murthy.

"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.

Karnataka Elections 2023 LIVE:

Nigamma, an elderly voter at a Mysuru polling booth early on May 10 (Image Source: ANI)

Karnataka 2023 Elections Polling LIVE: BS Yediyurappa has case his vote, expresses confidence in BJP win

"I request all people to cast their votes as early as possible. I am 100% sure they will vote in favour of the BJP. More than 75-80% will support BJP. We will win 130-135 seats. 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," said the former Karnataka CM and senior BJP leader

Karnataka 2023 Elections Polling LIVE: More leaders, including BS Yediryurappa cast their vote

-- BS Yediyurappa has case his vote
-- BJP leader K Sudhakar casts has voted at a polling booth in Chikkaballapur
-- BJP candidate from Kanakpura constituency R Ashoka has voted
-- BJP candidate BY Vijayendra has cast his vote

Karnataka 2023 Elections LIVE: Nirmala Sitharaman on inflation

"...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..." She was speaking to the media after casting her vote in Bengaluru

Karnataka Elections Polling LIVE: Congress seeks EC action against PM Modi for appeals during 'silence period'

The Congress on May 9 petitioned the EC for "immediate action" against Prime Minister Narendra Modi's appeals to Karnataka voters during the silence period ahead of voting day. Silence period is observed 48 hours ahead of the voting. The party alleges Modi's actions were "in violation" of the model code, and said it was "a litmus test" for the EC's willingness and capacity to enforce laws.
Congress general secretary in charge of Karnataka Randeep Surjewala in a long complaint questioned whether the poll body would remain "a mute and helpless spectator or fulfill its constitutional duty".

Karnataka 2023 Elections LIVE: Nirmala Sitharaman on Bajrang Dal row

"We always read Hanuman Chalisa and offer prayers to Bajrang Bali, but they (Congress) do this during the election...They mentioned that in their manifesto, this is an example of stupidity," UnionFinance MinisterNirmalaSitharamansaid. She was speaking to the media after casting her vote inBengaluru.

Karnataka Assembly Elections 2023 LIVE Voting: Congress Outlook

The Congress has kept its campaign on local issues, with initially electionnering led by local leaders -- Siddaramaiah and DK Shivakumar. In the last week, national leaders such as Rahul Gandhi, AICC president Mallikarjun Kharge, and Priyanka Gandhi Vadra joined in. Sonia Gandhi also held a rally on May 6. The aim is to wrest power from incumbent BJP and boost morale ahead of the 2024 Lok Sabha elections, and Assembly Polls in Chhattisgarh, Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan. The party has set a target of winning 150 seats.
The Congress has 223 candidates in the electoral fray, and on one seat it has extended support to Sarvodaya Karnataka Party. Opinion polls have given the Congress an edge in the election for 224 seats to the Karnataka Assembly

Stage set for high-stakes Karnataka Assembly elections today; BJP looks to script history, Congress eyes a comeback

Karnataka Assembly Elections 2023 LIVE: 

-- Tight security is in place for voting on May 10 between 7 am to 6 pm.
-- Ballots will be counted on Saturday, May 13.
-- A total of 2,615 candidates are in the fray.

Karnataka Elections 2023 Voting LIVE: What are the Congress' 5 guarantees?

-- 'Uchita Prayana' scheme proposes free travel for women throughout the state in regular government-run KSRTC/ BMTC buses.
-- 'Gruha Lakshmi' scheme, each woman head of the family will receive Rs 2,000 monthly assistance.
-- 'Gruha Jyothi' promises 200 unit free electricity a month to all households.
-- 'Anna Bhagya', promises every person in a BPL (below poverty line) family will receive 10 kg food grains, which can be rice or millets including Ragi and Jowar every month.
-- 'Yuva Nidhi', promises Rs 3,000/month will be provided to all unemployed graduates and Rs 1,500 a month for all unemployed diploma graduates (both in the age group of 18 to 25) for two years.

Karnataka Elections Voting LIVE: Congress candidates "promise" to deliver 5 guarantees

Congress candidates on May 9 have signed a "solemn pledge" to deliver on the party's promised "five guarantees" if voted to power. The document signed by all the 223 candidates was shared on social media by Rahul Gandhi and Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge. The promises are "Yuva Nidhi, Anna Bhagya, Gruha Jyothi, Uchita Prayana and Gruha Lakshm".

Karnataka Assembly Elections: A look at the voter numbers and demographics

-- More than 5.3 crore electors, including 11.71 lakh first-time voters, spread across 224 constituencies.
-- Almost equal numbers of men (2.66 crore) and women (2.63 crore) voters.
-- Over 5.71 lakh persons with disability
-- 12.15 lakh senior citizens aged 80 years and above and over 16,000 centenarian are registered voters

Alert:

Prime Minister Narendra Modihas urged the people of Karnataka, especially young and first time voters, to exercise their franchise in large numbers. In a tweet hesaid voting will "enrich the festival of democracy".

Karnataka Assembly Elections: CEC Rajiv Kumar urges voters to "come out in large numbers"

Rajiv Kumar, the Chief Election Commissioner on May 9 urged voters in Karnataka, especially first-time voters, to exercise their franchise. "Come in large numbers. Take inspiration from elderly voters like 103-year-old Mahadeva Mahalinga Mali and participate actively in the festival of democracy, defeating the prevalent trend of urban apathy in the state," he added.

Karnataka election live updates: Bengaluru CEOs warned

Amid increasing complaints from private sector employees in IT & BT companies, the Bengaluru district election officer warned CEOs of prosecution if they refuse to declare a paid holiday on May 10, the polling day.

Karnataka polling live updates: What is Modi factor, and will it work in Karnataka?

The Modi factor is the additional votes that the PM brings to the BJP fold on account of his charisma/personal capital. These voters may not necessarily be ideologically aligned with the party. It increased from 27 percent in 2014 to 32 percent in the 2019 general elections, according to CSDS surveys. The Modi factor accounted for 77 percent of the lead which the NDA enjoyed vis-a-vis the UPA in 2019.

Karnataka voting live updates: Some facts as state starts to vote for 224 seats

About 5.3 crore people will be voting in 58,545 polling stations spread across 37,777 locations. 11,71,558 are young voters and 12,15,920 senior citizens.

Karnataka voting live updates: Special facilities for voters

For specially abled and senior citizens, there is pick & drop facility link provided on the Chunavana app. For those with health issues, the app provides details of health centres nearby with important numbers.

How do I check for my name on the voters list?

Kartanaka voting live:

You can look up for your name on www.ceokarnataka.kar.nic.in OR download ‘Chunavana’ mobile app using your Voter ID number. If for any reason you don't get a voter slip, take help from the assitance booths set up by the parties near the polling stations but make sure you have some valid identity proof with you.

Karnataka polling updates:What are documents needed to vote?

In case a voter does not have a voter ID card, one of the following photo ID proofs can be used:
-- Aadhaar Card
-- PAN Card
-- Birth certificate
-- Driving License
-- Indian Passport
--Marksheet of Class X/Class VIII/Class V, if it contains
--Date of Birth
--Birth Certificate from the school/other educational institution (Govt./Recognized), last attended
--Birth Certificate issued by a Municipal Authorities
-- Registrar of Births & Deaths
--Baptism certificate

Karnataka voting live updates Is May 10 a paid holiday?

The EC has asked Karnataka govt to give a paid holiday on the day of polling (today) to encourage employees -- government and private firms -- to vote. Firms that may run on polling day may let employees cast their vote by either asking them come late or leave early during polling hours.

No firm cannot stop you from exercising your right to vote.

Karnataka voting live: When will exit polls be out?

The voting for Karnataka Assembly elections will begin at 7am and end at 6pm. Various TV news channels will broadcast the exit poll results from pollsters such as Axis My India, CVoter, Lokniti-CSDS, and Today’s Chanakya shortly after the voting is over.

Karnataka Election 2023 Voting Live: Drugs, bribes worth over Rs 375 cr seized

According to the Election Commission, Karnataka’s enforcement agencies confiscated liquor, drugs and other “bribes” worth more than Rs 375 crore. This was a 4.5-fold increase from the previous assembly election in the state in 2018.

Karnataka voting live: Goa declares public holiday

The Goa government has declared May 10 as a paid holiday for all employees, including those working in private establishments and industries, due to the Karnataka assembly election. The decision has been criticised by the opposition parties and industry bodies in Goa, who accused the BJP government of appeasing Karnataka for electoral gains. Goa and Karnataka are involved in a dispute over the sharing of Mhadei river water.

Karnataka elections 2023 live: Congress demands action against PM

Congress sought action from the Election Commission against Prime Minister Narendra Modi for allegedly violating the model code of conduct by making appeals to voters in Karnataka during the silence period. The silence period is the 48-hour period before polling ends when no campaigning or canvassing is allowed. The Congress claimed that Modi had made several appeals to voters through social media and interviews to vote for the BJP in the Karnataka assembly election. The Congress also accused Modi of misusing his official position and resources to influence voters. The BJP dismissed the allegations as baseless

Karnataka election live: Where Congress has the edge over BJP

The opinion poll by ABP News-CVoter predicted that the Congress would secure most of the seats in five out of six major regions in the state, such as Greater Bengaluru and Old Mysuru. The BJP is likely to perform better in the coastal areas of the state.

Karnataka election 2023 polling live: Opinion polls back Congress

An opinion poll by ABP News and CVoter last week suggested that the Congress might edge out the incumbent Bharatiya Janata Party and fend off the Janata Dal (Secular) to secure a slim victory in the Karnataka Assembly election this week.