Bypoll turnout put at 78.36 pc

The bypolls for the three Assembly constituencies in the State on Thursday witnessed an average turnout of 78.36 per cent with Chikodi-Sadalaga constituency in Belgaum clocking the highest polling percentage of 83.53.

The final voting figures were announced by the Election Commission of India on Friday. In Shikaripura, which witnessed a straight fight between B Y Raghavendra of the BJP and H S Shantaveerappa Gowda of the Congress, 78.26 per cent of the 1.77 lakh voters exercised their franchise. 

The Bellary Rural constituency which witnessed a pitched battle between Oblesh of the BJP and N Y Gopalakrishna of the Congress witnessed a relatively less voters turnout of 73.3 per cent.

The Chikodi-Sadalaga constituency has shown increase in polling percentage compared to 2013 Assembly polls, while Shikaripura and Bellary have clocked a decline.  In 2013 Assembly polls, Chikkodi clocked 80.03 per cent, while Bellary and Shikaripura registered 75.28 and 80.24 per cent respectively.

Counting of votes will be taken up on August 25.