Karnataka Election 2023 LIVE Updates: EC Refutes ‘Assembly Poll EVMs Used in South Africa’ Claim of Congress; Results Tomorrow
The Election Commission has rubbished the Congress’ claims that EVMs used in assembly polls in Karnataka were found in a hotel in South Africa. The results of the Karnataka Assembly elections are set to be declared tomorrow, and both the Congress and the BJP have expressed confidence in their victory. In the meantime, the state is hoping that the transition of power will be smooth, without any post-poll violence or unrest.
Karnataka, a state in South India, went to the polls on the 9th of May, and the voter turnout was recorded at 67.91 percent, which is higher than the 2018 assembly election. The state saw high-profile campaigns from both the Congress and the BJP, with the former chief minister Siddaramaiah leading the charge for the Congress and state chief Nalin Kumar Kateel campaigning for the BJP.
The Congress and the BJP have both predicted a victory, with the Congress claiming that there will be a change in the government, while the BJP has expressed confidence in retaining power. The Janata Dal (Secular), which was an important player in the previous election, has been relatively quiet this time around.
The counting of votes will begin in the morning, and the results are expected to be declared by the afternoon. The results will be keenly watched by political observers across the country, as Karnataka has historically played a crucial role in national politics.
The BJP currently holds power in Karnataka, and Chief Minister B. S. Yediyurappa recently resigned, citing health reasons. In his place, Basavaraj Bommai was chosen as the new chief minister. If the BJP wins, it will be interesting to see if Bommai is able to complete Yediyurappa’s term, which ends in 2023.
The Congress has fielded former Chief Minister Siddaramaiah as its chief ministerial candidate, while the BJP has not yet announced its choice. The Congress has also been dogged by infighting, with senior leader DK Shivakumar expressing dissatisfaction with the party’s leadership.
In the run-up to the election, there were allegations of violence, corruption, and horse-trading, with both the Congress and the BJP trading accusations. There were also concerns about the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic on the election, with the Election Commission taking special measures to ensure the safety of voters and election officials.
As the state gears up for the results, all eyes will be on the margin of victory, and whether the results will have national implications. The BJP will hope to use a victory in Karnataka as a springboard for the 2024 Lok Sabha elections, while the Congress will hope to use a victory to bolster its presence in South India.