Karnataka Assembly Polls: Voting underway, Modi, Gandhi urge people to cast votes
Voting commenced at 7 am in the morning and will continue till 6 pm in the evening.
Voting is taking place in 222 of the 224 constituencies in the state.
Security has been tightened for the voting in the state.
Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, 69, is contesting from two seats, Chamundeshwari and Badami, in the assembly polls.
Karnataka has witnessed a fierce campaigning conducted by both the Congress and the BJP. Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Congress President Rahul Gandhi came down to Karnataka for the past few
BJP has been ruling the state from 2008 to 2013 till Congress removed them from power to form the government in the southern state.
Karnataka poll assumes significance as it is the last important state in the south to go to polls before the 2019 Lok Sabha polls.
It is one of the few states ruled by the Congress in India.
Counting of votes will take place on May 15.
Meanwhile, the Election Commission on Friday deferred the poll in Rajarajeswari Nagar constituency in Karnataka to May 28.
The decision was taken just few hours before voting commences in Karnataka.
"The voting was deferred in view of “vitiation” of the electoral process on account of attempts by political parties and candidates to induce voters through distribution of freebies and illegal collection of EPICs aimed at either wooing the voters or keeping them from voting," The Times of India reported.
The commission cited two incidents of “serious nature” which compelled it to conclude that the electoral process had been vitiated.
The counting for the polling will take place on May 31.
Meanwhile, Congress president Rahul Gandhi, Prime Minister Narendra Modi urged people to cast votes.
"I appeal to all office bearers & workers of the Congress party in Karnataka to provide all possible assistance to those affected by the heavy rains. Our polling booth teams must remain alert and help voters facing difficulties in reaching polling booths tomorrow," Gandhi tweeted.
Urging my sisters and brothers of Karnataka to vote in large numbers today. I would particularly like to call upon young voters to vote and enrich this festival of democracy with their participation.
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) May 12, 2018
Modi said: "Urging my sisters and brothers of Karnataka to vote in large numbers today. I would particularly like to call upon young voters to vote and enrich this festival of democracy with their participation."
Images: facebook.com/siddhucm, facebook.compg/AmitShah.Official
