Karnataka bypolls see moderate to heavy turnout

Bengaluru : The crucial by-elections on Thursday to 15 Karnataka assembly seats, which are set to have a bearing on the state’s political course, witnessed moderate to heavy turnout with over 70 per cent in seven constituencies by 5 p.m., and about 60 per cent in the rest 8 seats, an official said. “Voting has been full swing since 3 p.m., as evident from over 70 per cent polling till 5 p.m. in 7 of the 15 Assembly seats,” poll official G. Jadiyappa told IANS. Of the seven constituencies, which posted over 70 per cent turnout, Chikkaballapur recorded a whopping 79.80 per cent by 5 p.m., followed by 76.19 per cent in Hosakote, 75.87 per cent in K.R. Pete, 74.47 per cent in Hunasuru, 72.42 per cent Hirekerur, 72.23 per cent in Yellapur and 70.73 in Athani. Polling in Bengaluru’s four crucial seats gained slight momentum after remaining dull since morning to 3 p.m., and the percentage was 37.5 per cent (lowest) in K.R. Pura, followed by 40.47 in Mahalakshmi layout in Bengaluru west, 41.43 per cent in Shivajinagara and 48.34 in Yeshvanputapura.

In the remaining four seats, voting percentage till 5 p.m. was 69.76 per cent in Kagwad, followed by 67.92 in Rannebennur, 66.64 in Gokak and 58.93 per cent in Vijayanagara. (IANS)

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