Results of Council polls today

Trial of strength for BJP, Cong-JD(S)

The results are of critical importance to both the ruling BJP as well as the Congress-JD (S) combine. The results will not have a direct impact on the ruling party, but will be a test of strength for the Congress and JD(S) pre-poll alliance.

The BJP has faced the elections while being rocked by internal dissidence and with the Oppositon united.

The Congress leaders of the State were not keen on joining hands with the JD (S) but had to relent in the face of a diktat from the party high command.

The outcome of the polls has the potential to change the political equation in the Upper House. The BJP sees it as an opportunity to gain majority in the 75-member House.

The polls will decide the electoral fortunes of former ministers Basavaraj Patil Humnabad (Bidar-BJP), Veerakumar Patil (Belgaum -Congress), T John (Kodagu- Congress), film producer E Krishnappa, and former legislator Mahima Patel among others.

Counting of votes will commence at 8 am at various centres across the State, and decide the fortunes of 93 candidates including 21 BJP nominees, 16 Congress, eight JD (S) and 44 Independents. As many as 90,209 of the total electorate of 93,678 exercised their franchise on Friday.

The results of constituencies which are witnessing a straight fight like in Bangalore Urban, Kolar, Mandya, Tumkur and Hassan are likely to be out first. The results of double-seat constituencies like Bijapur, Belgaum and Mysore are likely to declared later in the day as preferential system of voting is adopted in the Council polls.

Repolling

Repolling announced in three polling stations - Bangalore Zilla Panchayat, Allolli Gram Panchayat in Gulbarga and a polling station in Chikmagalur passed of peacefully on Sunday.

While the Bangalore polling station recorded around 90 per cent voting, the other two polling stations witnessed 100 per cent turnout.