Bengaluru, May 9 : After a high-octane campaign, Karnataka is getting ready for the mega battle, with people ready to exercise their franchise to elect their candidates for the 224-member legislative assembly on Wednesday.
During the campaign, candidates of all major political parties pitched hard, along with their respective star campaigners, seeking votes to boost their prospects in the hustings.
The polling will begin at 7 am and at 6 pm.
As many as 5,31,33,054 eligible voters are expected to exercise their franchise in 58,545 polling stations across Karnataka, and decide the fate of 2,615 candidates in the fray, out of which there are 2,430 male candidates and 184 female, besides one from third gender.
As many as 11,71,558 are young voters, while 5,71,281 are persons with disabilities (PWDs) and 12,15,920 are aged 80 plus.
While BJP is counting on Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s popularity to come back to power in a bid to overcome 38-year record of throwing out ruling party in Karnataka, the Congress is aiming to wrest power from BJP which will give them a push to build a narrative to take on BJP in subsequent state elections leading up to 2024 Lok Sabha elections.
The JDS on the other hand are expecting to play a role of kingmaker in case the state witnesses a hung assembly.
As many as 76,202 voter verifiable paper audit trail (VVPAT) are scheduled to be used during voting.
Heavy police bandobast has been made across the state for free and fair elections.(UNI)