Karnataka voted to elect a new Assembly in a three-cornered contest on Saturday.
An estimated 70% of the over 4.96 crore voters exercised their franchise to choose a new Karnataka Assembly in one of the most high-profile and bitterly fought elections in the recent times. A voter turnout of 71.4% was recorded in the previous Assembly elections in 2013.
The percentage may go up as voters were standing in queues to cast their votes beyond the 6 pm deadline, state election office said. Under election rules, voters who join the queue before the expiry of the deadline, are allowed to exercise their franchise.
Polling was held for 222 of the state's 224 constituencies following the countermanding of election for the Jayanagara seat due to the death of BJP candidate B N Vijaykumar, and deferment of voting for R R Nagar seat over allegations of electoral malpractices. The polling began at 58,546 polling stations each, equipped with Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) and Voter Verified Paper Audit Trails (VVPATs), and concluded at 6 pm.
A total of 2,654 candidates are in the fray and 4.96-crore electorate, including 2.44 crore women, will cast their votes. Over 15 lakh people are first-time voters in the 18-19 age group.
Tight security was put in place to ensure smooth and peaceful polling across the 224 assembly constituencies spread across 30 districts.
There were reports of malfunctioning of EVMs from some polling stations, and minor clashes between Congress and BJP supporters. The two parties also accused each other of inducing voters.
While the ruling Congress and the BJP are the main contenders for power, former prime minister HD Deve Gowdas JD(S) is expected to be the dark horse to look out for. Pollsters have forecast a hung Assembly, with a close contest between Congress and BJP. D(S), though projected to finish a distant third, is likely to play a crucial role in government formation in the event of a fractured mandate.
No party in Karnataka has won a second successive term in office since 1985 when the Janata Dal under Ramakrishna Hegde had retained power.
The Congress is aiming at retaining the only large state it rules after Punjab, while the BJP is striving to form its government in Karnataka, which party president Amit Shah said will be its “gateway to south”, for a second time.
The BJP had ruled the state between 2008 and 2013, the only time it did so, but its tenure was marred by intra-party feuds and allegations of corruption. One of its three chief ministers and its current CM candidate BS Yeddyurappa was in jail over corruption charges.
Here are highlights of the polling day:
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 "A policeman stands guard as voters wait in a queue to cast their ballot outside a polling station in Karnataka (Reuters)")
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