Karnataka Gram Panchayat election results 2020: BJP now leading on 3890 seats

Bengaluru, Dec 30: In a recent development, the BJP appears to be in strong position in the gram panchayat polls with lead on over 3870 seats. The Congress is at the second position in terms of seats while the JDS is at the third position.

Both the parties were in power a year ago in the state. Currently, the BJP-backed candidates are now leading on 3870 seats while Congress supported candidates are ahead on just 1988.

The JDS candidates are leading on about 1035 seats. The counting of votes for over 70,000 seats spread across 5,728 villages began this morning at 8 AM.

These seats had gone to polls in two phases, December 22 and December 27. Ballot papers were used for the panchayat election except for one district, Bidar - where the Commission used EVMs. Results are likely to be clear only by end of the day.

Earlier, the Commission announced elections for a total of 91,339 seats in 5,728 Gram Panchayats of 226 talkus in two phases, December 22 and 27. Candidates for 8,074 seats have already been elected unopposed.

In the first phase, elections were held for 43,238 seats while the second phase covered 39,378 seats. A total of 2,22,814 candidates were in the fray for the elections to Gram Panchayats.

Among a total of 91,339 seats in 5,728 Gram Panchayats of 226 talkus in the state, 43,238 went to polls in the first phase, while voting for 39,378 seats took place in the second phase. Candidates for 8,074 seats have been elected unopposed. A total of 2,22,814 candidates were in the electoral fray.

In the first phase, it can be seen that a voter turnout of about 82 per cent was recorded while the second phase had seen around 80 per cent polling.

Polling in both phases was held with necessary COVID-19 guidelines in place amid the prevailing pandemic situation.

On Monday, Chief Minister BS Yediyurappa had exhorted confidence that the ruling BJP supported candidates are likely to win a majority of the seats.

"According to my information, it is certain that 85-90 per cent BJP supported candidates will get elected in Gram Panchayat polls," a news agency quoted him as saying.