Channapatna contest hogs limelight as stage set for by-polls in 3 Assembly segments in Karnataka

An estimated overall 10.14 per cent voter turnout was recorded during the first two hours, since the voting began for by-polls to three Assembly segments in Karnataka on Wednesday, election officials said. The voting began at 7 am and will go on till 6 pm. More than seven lakh voters are eligible to cast their votes in about 770 polling stations in Shiggaon, Sandur and Channapatna, where a total of 45 candidates are in the fray.

Voting occurs in Shiggaon, Sandur, and Channapatna, with a total of 45 candidates competing. Security measures are in place for smooth polling amid a high-profile contest.

While Channapatna recorded 10.34 per cent voter turnout till 9 am, it was 10.08 per cent in Shiggaon, and 9.99 per cent in Sandur, election officials said. Voters, including women and elderly were seen queuing up in front of polling booths in these segments. By-polls for Sandur, Shiggaon, and Channapatna are necessitated, as the seats fell vacant following the election of their respective representatives -- E Tukaram of Congress, former CM Basavaraj Bommai of BJP, and Union Minister H D Kumaraswamy of JD(S) -- to Lok Sabha in May elections.