BBMP Elections, Voting Begins in Bengaluru Civic Polls

Voting for the election of new council of members for the Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP), the civic body of country’s IT capital, has begun. The elections are being held after a prolonged court battle as the ruling congress government sought to defer the polls on the grounds of restructuring the civic body. The polling is being held for 197 wards of the total 198 as BJP candidate from Hongasandra ward has been elected unopposed already.

Voting began at 7 am as voters in different parts of the city gradually marched towards the polling booth in their areas.

Despite late night showers in the city and drizzle in the morning, voters are showing enthusiasm to come out and vote. The voting will go on till 5 pm. Fate of as many as 1,120 candidates in the fray will be decided by over 73 lakh voters.

Tension prevailed in Herohalli (ward number 72) in West Bengaluru when JD(S) party workers located a cutout, showcasing local congress candidate Rajanna along pictures of CM Siddaramaiah and other leaders, near the polling booth. The Election Commission of India mandates no publicity materials in the 100 metre surrounding of the polling booth. The cops deployed for duty there and election commission officials jumped into action to clear the cutout soon.

At booth number 20 of JC Nagar (Ward number 46) under Hebbal constituency voting has been delayed due to glitches in the EVM.