Karnataka by-polls HIGHLIGHTS: Voter turn out nears 50 per cent till 3 PM

There are a total 31 candidates in the fray in all the five constituencies, though the contest is mainly between the Congress-JDS combine and the BJP.

Voting for the three Lok Sabha and two Assembly constituencies in Karnataka began on Saturday.

Bypolls to Shivamogga, Mandya, and Ramanagara Lok Sabha seats, and Ballari and Jamkhandi assembly segments began at 7 am and will go on till 6 pm.

A total of 54,54,275 voters are eligible to cast their franchise in about 6,450 polling stations.

There are a total 31 candidates in the fray in all the five constituencies, though the contest is mainly between the Congress-JDS combine and the BJP.

The counting of the vote will take place on Tuesday.

22 percent voters turn out recorded till 11 am

A total of 22.3% voters turnout at 11 am with a increase of 12.3% compared to first session (7am to 9am) in Jamkhandi assembly by-election. (Photo| EPS)

Polling delayed at a Ramanagaram booth

#WATCH: A snake being removed from polling booth 179 in Mottedoddi of Ramanagaram. The voting was delayed after it was spotted and resumed soon after it was removed. #KarnatakaByElection2018 pic.twitter.com/W1XrDeIP3z

— ANI (@ANI) November 3, 2018

Locals queue outside outside a government school to cast their votes

Voters queue at a booth in government school Hirepadsalgi, jamakandi (Photo| EPS)

Voters in Haraginadhoni Village boycott elections over drinking water issue

#KarnatakaByElection2018
2100 voters stay away from polling stations at Haraginadhoni Village. The villagers had boycotted the elections demanding permanent drinking water facility. DC Ballari and SP Ballari had convinced the villagers to withdraw the protest. @NewIndianXpress

— Ashwini M Sripad (@AshwiniMS_TNIE) November 3, 2018

Voters turnout till 9 am

Parliamentary constituencies Bellary 4.40%, Shimoga 8.61% and Mandya 4.18%. Legislative assembly constituencies Jamkhandi 9% and Ramnagar 8%. (ANI)

BJP invites Divya Spandana to cast her vote after viral tweet on PM Modi's photo

Ramya, Congress Social Media head, in midst of controversy over her “bird dropping” tweet against Prime Minister Narendra Modi, has been invited to cast her vote in favour of BJP. 

BJP worker Shivakumar Aradhya has appealed to Ramya to cast her vote in bypolls to be held on Saturday.

(Click here to read more)

Former Karnataka CM Yeddyurappa casts his vote

Former Karnataka CM BS Yeddyurappa casts his vote at a polling booth in ward no 132 at Shikaripura in Shimoga. Voting for 3 parliamentary constituencies Bellary, Shimoga, Mandya&2 legislative assembly constituencies Jamkhandi, Ramanagaram began at 7 am today. #KarnatakaByElection pic.twitter.com/6SIbyGRZ1q

— ANI (@ANI) November 3, 2018

Voting turnout till 3 pm - Parliamentary constituencies Bellary 47%, Shimoga 41.49% and Mandya 37.7%. Legislative assembly constituencies Jamkhandi 58.82% and Ramnagar 54.76%.