Bangalore: Searing heat could not prevent neither Bangalore city nor the state from witnessing a higher turnout of voters during polling for the assembly elections on Sunday. The state witnessed 69% polling, a significant rise from the 64.68% witnessed during the 2008 assembly polls.
Bangalore city had recorded 42.47% polling at 5pm and, according to chief electoral officer, Karnataka, Anil Kumar Jha, the final polling percentage is likely to touch 52%, a big jump from the city but still not encouraging compared to other districts. The city had seen a low 44% voting in 2008 assembly elections.
Bangalore Rural district had recorded 68.13% polling by 5pm and the final figure was expected to cross 70%, said Jha, who added that the final tabulation of the exact percentage was still being done.
Ramanagara district, where former chief minister HD Kumaraswamy is one of the contestants, is among the districts at the top of the table with 72% polling by 5pm, and it is set cross 75% after the final tabulation, Jha said.
What does the high percentage mean?
With voters having to wait till May 8 for the results, the question being asked is, what does the rise in polling percentage mean in terms of the results?
“A vote for change in the state” is the unanimous opinion expressed by political analysts.
Speaking to dna, Sandeep Shastri, pro vice-chancellor of Jain University and political analyst, said, “Credit should go to the Election Commission, various citizen groups and media for the rise in voting percentage. As far as interpreting the significant rise in voting percentage, it is an indication that people want a change in government. People seem to have expressed their disappointment about the present dispensation, said Shastri.
Prof. Trilochan Sastry, member of Karnataka Election Watch (KEW), too feels the same. He said the rise in polling percentage was quite significant and could be interpreted as expression for a change of government.
BS Shivanna, convenor, Lohia Thinkers Forum, is more assertive in his interpretation and feels that it is an indication of impending change of government. He said the Congress being the strong alternative for the BJP would emerge victorious with comfortable majority.
Counting of votes would be taken up on May 8.
