Counting of votes for Chikkodi, Belgaum begins

Belagavi: Counting of votes for the Lok Sabha election for Chikkodi parliamentary constituency began in the premises of RD College in Chikkodi and for Belgaum parliamentary constituency in the premises of RPD College here on Tuesday.

Strong rooms wherein EVMs and postal ballots were stored were opened by the election authorities in the presence of election observers and election agents of the candidates. Postal ballots were being counted in two different rooms and EVMs in counting rooms earmarked. Counting of ballot votes commenced at 8:00 am in the presence of election agents of candidates.

Chikkodi has 18 candidates in fray and is witnessing straight contest between BJP candidate sitting MP Annasaheb Jolle and Congress candidate Priyanka Jarkiholi.

The 18 candidates in fray from Chikkodi are Annasaheb Jolle of BJP, Priyanka Jarkiholi of Congress, Appasaheb Kurane of Sarva Janata Party, Kumar Dongre of Karnataka Rashtra Samiti, Pavankumar Malage from Bahujan Bharat Party, Satyeppa Kaleli from Bharatiya Jawan Kisan Party, independents Kadayya Hiremath, Kashinath Kurane, Gajanan Pujari, Jitendra Nerli, Bhimsen Sanadi, Mahesh Ashok, Mohan Motannavar, Yaseen Pataki, Vilas Mannur, Shambhu Kallolikar, Shreenik Jangate and Sammed Vardhmane.

Belgaum has 13 candidates in fray and is witnessing straight contest between BJP candidate former chief minister Jagadish Shettar and Congress candidate Mrinal Hebbalkar.

The 13 candidates in fray from Belgaum are Jagadish Shettar of BJP, Mrinal Hebbalkar of Congress, Mallappa Chougula of Uttam Prajakiya Party, Basappa Kumbar of Karnataka Rashtra Samiti, Ashok Appugol of BSP, Laxman Jadgannavar of SUCI and independents Mahadev Patil (MES backed), Ashok Hanji, Nitin A M, Pundalik Itnal, Ravi Padasalagi, Vijay Metrani and Ashfaqahmed Ustad.

Chikkodi with 78.66% polling, 3.13% increase over the previous election. Votes polled in Chikkodi were 13,85,688.

Belgaum with 71.49%, 3.79% up compared to previous time. Votes polled in Belgaum were 13,75,383.