The biennial elections to the Legislative Council from three graduates’ and three teachers’ constituencies went off peacefully on Friday. There was brisk polling in all the constituencies.
When the polling ended at 5 p.m., the South-East Teachers’ constituency comprising Davangere, Chitradurga, Tumakuru, Chickballapur, and Kolar districts had registered the highest voter turnout of 91.84% among the six constituencies. This was followed the South-West Teachers’ constituency, where 80.45% polling was recorded. Bengaluru Graduates’ constituency recorded the least polling percentage of 64.11.
While the South Teachers’ constituency comprising Mysuru, Mandya, Chamarajanagar, and Hassan districts recorded 79.91% polling, the North-East Graduates’ constituency recorded 70.13% turnout. The South-West Graduates’ constituency recorded 70.04% turnout.
Though polling began on a modest note at 7 a.m. in all the constituencies, it became brisk as the day advanced. Incessant rain in some districts did not dampen the spirit of voters who turned out in large numbers to exercise their franchise. According to the Election Commission, no major untoward incident was reported in any constituency.
The elections were necessitated as some members, including Legislative Council Chairman D.H. Shankaramurthy, are retiring on June 21. The results will be declared on June 12.
In all, 75 candidates are in the fray from the six constituencies, including three incumbent MLCs Ramesh Babu (JD-S) from Karnataka South-East Teachers’ constituency, Marithibbe Gowda (JD-S) from the Karnataka South Teachers’ constituency, and Capt. Ganesh Karnik (BJP) from the South West Teachers’ constituency.