Polling concludes with 100 percent turnout in Karnataka MLC elections; counting to begin at 5 pm
Bengaluru, June 18
The Karnataka Legislative Assembly Secretariat on Thursday informed that polling for the Biennial Elections to the Karnataka Legislative Council-2026 recorded 100 per cent turnout, with all 222 electors casting their votes, and counting scheduled to begin at 5 pm.
According to an official communication issued by MK Vishalakshi, Secretary, Karnataka Legislative Assembly Secretariat and Returning Officer for the biennial elections, voting figures till 2:20 pm showed complete participation.
"In continuation of my Letter/E-mail regarding commencement of the Biennial Election to Karnataka Legislative Council-2026, I am to inform you the details of polling status hour-wise as follows," the letter stated.
The communication further confirmed full turnout, stating: "Till 2.20 pm -- Total No. of Electors: 222; Total Votes polled till 2.20 p.m.: 222; Total Percentage of Polling: 100%."
Earlier in the day, Karnataka Chief Minister DK Shivakumar responded to allegations of cross-voting during the Legislative Council elections, saying that the process involves a secret ballot and stressing that the Congress has no role in such claims.
Speaking to ANI, Shivakumar said, "Why should we ask for cross-voting? It is a confidential vote. Secret ballot vote. Why should one worry? Nobody should worry. It all depends on the leadership and their party's ideology. We do not want to get involved in any of the cross-voting. We don't know about it. Let's wait till 6 o'clock and see," he said.
Senior Congress leaders expressed confidence that the party would win all five seats it is contesting.
Congress MLA and former minister Santosh Lad expressed confidence in the party's prospects and said, "We are very confident, and according to me, all five candidates will win comfortably."
Senior Congress leader Satish Jarkiholi also asserted that the party had the required numbers to secure victory. "All five of our contestants will win; there is no doubt. We have the numbers necessary to win," he said.
Admitting the presence of factions within the party, Jarkiholi added, "Yes, there are groups in Congress, but they will still vote for the party."
Congress MLA Dinesh Gundu Rao echoed similar confidence and said, "We will win all five seats with our own votes. We took our MLAs yesterday, where mock voting was also held. We have enough numbers."
Voting for the seven seats of the Karnataka Legislative Council was conducted at Vidhana Soudha and concluded at 4 pm.
— ANI
Reader Comments
DK Shivakumar saying "secret ballot" is a classic political move. Everyone knows cross-voting happens, especially when money and muscle power are involved. Let's see who blinks first at 5 pm! 😏
Congress leaders are overly confident. "All five will win comfortably" - sounds like they've done their homework. But with factions in their own party, we'll see if the numbers hold. MLC elections always bring some drama!
As an outsider looking in, the Karnataka MLC election seems like a game of numbers and party loyalty. 100% turnout with 222 voters is impressive, but how many of those votes are truly free and fair? The secret ballot claim by CM is just politics as usual.
What's the point of MLC elections if only MLAs and MLCs vote? Where is the common man's voice? These council members are supposed to represent us, but we have no say in their election. Time for electoral reforms! 💪
The Congress leaders' confidence shows that the party's internal mechanisms are working despite factions. But let's be honest, these elections are more about political survival than public service. Hope the winners remember why they were elected! 🇮🇳
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