Bengaluru, May 9 : After an intense campaign period, the stage is now set for the high-stakes Karnataka Assembly elections, as the state gears up to elect its representatives to the 224-member Legislative Assembly on Wednesday.
With multiple major political parties in contention, namely the BJP, Congress, and JD(S), the candidates have put forward strong pitches to boost their prospects in the electoral battle.
The voting will take place from 7 am to 6 pm, with a total of 5,31,33,054 eligible electors able to cast their votes at 58,545 polling stations across the state. A total of 2,615 candidates are vying for seats in the Assembly.
Among the electors, 2,67,28,053 are male, 2,64,00,074 are female, and 4,927 fall under the “others” category. In terms of candidates, 2,430 are male, 184 are female, and one candidate belongs to the third gender.
Notable statistics include 11,71,558 young voters, 5,71,281 persons with disabilities (PWDs), and 12,15,920 individuals aged above 80.
The ruling BJP, propelled by the Modi wave, aims to break the 38-year jinx and retain its stronghold in the south. On the other hand, the Congress seeks to regain power and establish itself as the primary opposition force ahead of the 2024 Lok Sabha elections.
Additionally, all eyes are on the Janata Dal (Secular) led by former Prime Minister H.D. Deve Gowda, as they could potentially play the role of a “kingmaker” in the event of a hung verdict, as they have done in the past.
During the campaign, leaders of all political parties emphasized the need for a government with a clear majority, highlighting the importance of a strong and stable administration, unlike the outcome of the 2018 elections.
The voting process will involve the use of 75,603 Ballot Units (BU), 70,300 Control Units (CU), and 76,202 voter verifiable paper audit trail (VVPAT) machines.
Elaborate security arrangements have been put in place across the state to ensure smooth conduct of the elections, with forces deployed from neighboring states. “Critical Polling Stations” will have measures such as Micro Observers, Webcasting, and CCTVs to closely monitor the polling process.
As the election day arrives, the fate of Karnataka’s political landscape hangs in the balance, with parties and candidates eagerly awaiting the results that will shape the future of the state.
