Phase 1 of Karnataka panchayat polls peacefully ends

Bangalore, Dec.26 (ANI): Polling during the first phase of zilla and taluk panchayat elections in 12 districts across the Karnataka peacefully came to an end with an estimated 1.11 crore electorates exercising their franchise on Sunday.

As per the State Election Commission sources there are 6144 candidates in the fray, including 1549 for zilla panchayats.

Elections are being held to 375 zilla panchayat and 1728 taluk panchayat seats in the districts of Bangalore Urban, Bangalore Rural, Ramanagara, Chitradurga, Kolar, Shimoga, Chikkaballapur, Tumkur, Bidar, Bellary, Raichur and Yadgir.

Karnataka Chief Minister B. S. Yeddyurappa has campaigned in all the districts as the opposition Congress and the Janta Dal Secular (JDS) have alleged his Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) government of corruption and land scams.

Congress, which couldn't make it during the bye-elections held in the state after BJP came to power in 2008, has been struggling with the new KPCC President G Parameshwara.

JDS after releasing documents on scams in which the Yeddyurappa government is allegedly involved is leaving no stone unturned to prove its strength in the elections.

The second phase of election will be held on December 31 and counting would take place on January 4. (ANI)