Karnataka MLC Polls: Voting Underway for Four Seats Amid Tight Security

Voting began at 8 a.m. and is scheduled to continue until 4 p.m. Authorities have deployed security personnel and maintained heightened vigilance to ensure peaceful polling.

The elections are being held in the Bengaluru Teachers’, Northeast Teachers’, West Graduates’ and Southeast Graduates’ constituencies.

Tensions flared near a polling station at Ambedkar College in Nagarabhavi during voting for the Bengaluru Teachers’ constituency, where Congress and BJP workers reportedly clashed. Former corporator Mohan Kumar was accused of verbally abusing people, prompting police intervention. Officers erected barricades to bring the situation under control.

Polling in the Bengaluru Teachers’ constituency has been brisk since morning, with teachers turning up at polling stations to cast their votes. Queues were reported at a polling station in Doddaballapur taluk of Bengaluru Rural district.

The district has 2,863 registered teacher voters, including 1,411 men and 1,452 women. Six polling stations have been established to facilitate voting.

In the Northeast Teachers’ constituency, polling began under tight security in Raichur, where 16 polling stations have been set up. District Deputy Commissioner Poovitha S., who is also the Assistant Returning Officer, visited polling stations to review arrangements and monitor the process.

The ruling Congress is contesting against the opposition National Democratic Alliance (NDA) in the four-seat election.

In the Southeast Graduates’ constituency, Congress candidate Shashi Hulikunte Mutt is facing BJP’s K. M. Suresh, also known as Someshwara. In the West Graduates’ constituency, Congress candidate Mohan Limbikai is contesting against BJP’s S. V. Sankanur.

In the Northeast Teachers’ constituency, Congress candidate Sharanappa Mattur is up against BJP’s Shashil G. Namoshi. In the Bengaluru Teachers’ constituency, Congress candidate Puttanna is contesting against Janata Dal (Secular) candidate A. P. Ranganath.

The votes will be counted and the results announced on October 27. The 75-member Karnataka Legislative Council currently has five vacant seats.