Karnataka Bypolls Underway in Bagalkot and Davanagere South
Karnataka Bypolls Underway in Bagalkot and Davanagere South
Voting kicks off in Karnataka's Bagalkot and Davanagere South with tight security as bypolls to fill two Assembly seats get underway.
Voters in Karnataka's Bagalkot and Davanagere South headed to polling stations on Thursday as bypolls began to fill vacancies left by the deaths of two senior Congress leaders. Elabourate security arrangements have been put in place to ensure a smooth vote and to manage turnout in the two constituencies.
Early turnout figures showed modest participation: about 9% in Davanagere South and 11.87% in Bagalkot by around the morning. By 1 PM, Bagalkot had seen about 54.82% turnout, while Davanagere South stood at 49.66%, underscoring a competitive race between major parties.
In total, 34 candidates are in the fray—nine in Bagalkot and 25 in Davanagere South—reflecting a diverse field in this election that was necessitated by the passing of sitting representatives H.Y. Meti and Shamanur Shivashankarappa. Campaigns have focused on local issues and governance, with voters weighing how the outcomes might influence state politics ahead of the next electoral cycle.
