Karnataka recorded a turnout of 73.19% within the Might 10 meeting elections, marking the very best voting share registered within the southern state ever, the Election Fee (EC) mentioned on Thursday.
The turnout is more likely to rise additional as votes polled by means of postal poll and ‘Vote for House’ (VFH) facility for aged residents are but to be counted, the ballot physique added.
“Karnataka has created a brand new document for itself. Last voter turnout for Karnataka election 2023 stands at 73.19%,” the chief electoral workplace mentioned.
The turnout is increased than the ultimate figures of 72.36% and 71.83% in 2018 and 2013, respectively.
Whereas Ramanagara district recorded the very best turnout of 85.04%, the bottom was in Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) South limits (elements of Bengaluru metropolis) at 54.50 %.
Melkote constituency noticed the very best turnout of 91.01%, adopted by Hoskote at 90.95%.
Bengaluru didn’t buck the pattern of low turnout regardless of a number of campaigns by EC and BBMP to spice up voter participation.
Knowledge confirmed that the 4 segments of Bengaluru district, BBMP Central, BBMP North, BBMP South and Bengaluru City recorded a turnout of 55.50%, 52.59%, 52.33% and 57.71%, respectively. Bommanahalli constituency in Bengaluru district recorded the bottom turnout of 47.36%
Professor MN Sreehari, an infrastructure advisor and knowledgeable, expressed disappointment over the low turnout. “The identical IT or Bengaluru city folks solely touch upon infrastructure and its inadequacy whereas blaming elected representatives,” Sreeehari mentioned.
“Disgrace on Bangaloreans for this poor efficiency. To tour or to remain at dwelling with out voting just isn’t okay. Within the subsequent election, the federal government shouldn’t give a vacation and however, cubicles ought to be opened in any respect places of work,” Sreehari added.
Specialists mentioned the general voters’ participation might have been the very best this election, however the improve was marginal compared to earlier years.
Political observer A Narayana mentioned the state had registered a voter turnout of above 70% within the final three elections. “Though the Election Fee has put in loads of effort to extend the quantity, the rise is marginal. Nevertheless, it’s a good quantity, and it exhibits there may be decisiveness amongst voters,” he mentioned.
Polling throughout 224 constituencies sealed the destiny of two,430 candidates from the three main political events – the ruling Bharatiya Janata Occasion (BJP), Congress and Janata Dal (Secular) – and independents. The outcomes might be declared on Saturday.
The BJP is trying to retain its solely authorities in southern India and maintain off challenges from the Congress and JD(S).
A clutch of exit polls has predicted that the Congress is more likely to edge forward of the BJP and maybe even acquire a majority of its personal within the elections.