Countdown begins: Fate of 2,564 candidates in Karnataka at stake

It is just a matter of a few hours before the fate of Karnataka is decided. On Tuesday, counting for the all-important Karnataka assembly elections will be held. Will it be the Congress or the BJP or a government with the JD(S)playing kingmaker?

At stake is the fate of 2,564 candidates who contested the May 12 Assembly elections. On Saturday, May 12, as many 5.06 crore voters exercised their franchise.

Election Commission officials say that counting would begin at 8 am. The first trends would be available by 10 am, they also said.

The EVMs which have been stored are being guarded by the Central Reserve Police Force as per the directives of the Election Commission of India. According to chief electoral officer Sanjiv Kumar, a total of 11,160 polling personnel will be involved in the counting process. As many as 100 personnel will be involved in the counting of votes per constituency.

Re-polling at Kushtagi in Koppal district and one polling booth in Lottegollahalli in Hebbal Assembly constituency will be held on Monday between 7 am and 6 pm. Re-polling became necessary due to faulty EVMs.