Peaceful voting in Karnataka assembly by-polls

Polling was peaceful Thursday in three assembly constituencies in Karnataka where by-polls are being held to fill the vacant seats in the state legislature.

"Voting is underway in the three assembly constituencies of Bellary Rural (Reserved), Chikkodi-Sadalga and Shikaripura amid tight security," an official told IANS.

Though polling began on a dull note at 7 a.m., it picked up later with 15-20 percent of the electorate exercising their franchise during the first four hours.

Counting of votes will take place Aug 25.

Congress and Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) are contesting for all the three seats, while the regional Janata Dal-Secular (JD-S) has decided to stay away.

The vacancy in Bellary Rural (ST), about 330 km form Bangalore, was caused by the resignation of former BJP minister B.R. Sriramulu following his victory from the Bellary parliamentary (ST) constituency in the 2014 Lok Sabha election.

Congress candidate N.Y. Gopalakrishna and BJP candidate Oblesh are the main contestants for the seat.

Gopalakrishna is a former lawmaker from Molakalmuru assembly segment in the neighbouring Chitradurga district.

Similarly, the resignation of Congress minister Prakash Hukkeri from Chikkodi-Sadalga, about 570 km from Bangalore, after he was elected from the Chikkodi Lok Sabha seat necessitated the by-poll.

The ruling Congress has fielded Hukkeri's son Ganesh against BJP's Mahantesh Kavatagimath.

In Shikaripura, about 350 km from Bangalore, BJP's B.Y. Raghavendra takes on Shantahaveerappa Gowda of the Congress and others.

Shikaripura by-poll in Malnad region is being held to fill the vacancy caused by the resignation of former chief minister B.S. Yeddurappa following his election from the Shimoga parliamentary constituency.

Yeddyurappa's son Raghavendra represented the Shimoga Lok Sabha constituency in the previous term (2009-14).