Voting in Karnataka Assembly elections concludes

Villagers of Masabinal in Vijayapura district stopped a poll duty vehicle carrying electronic voting machines (EVMs), manhandled an officer and damaged control and ballot units on Wednesday following which 23 persons were arrested, the Election Commission said. The villagers stopped a sector officer's vehicle which was carrying reserved EVMs and damaged two control and ballot units each and three VVPATs (Voter Verifiable Paper Audit Trail) machines, the EC said in a statement

Vokkaliga mutt leader Nirmalananda Swamiji casts his vote in Nagamangala

Kannada actor Dhruva Sarja cast his vote in Bengaluru

A voter turnout of 52.03% has been recorded in Karnataka as of 3 pm, the Election Commission said.

"It's a small village. All round development has taken place. Credit should go to HD Revanna, who represents this constituency," says JD(S) chief and former Prime Minister HD Devegowda after casting his vote at his native village Haradanahalli in Hassan district.

"Issues are individuals and one should keep their issues in mind and vote accordingly. I've not come here as a celebrity, I've come here as an Indian and it's my responsibility," says Kannada actor Kiccha Sudeep after casting his vote in Bengaluru.

JD(S) chief and former Prime Minister HD Devegowda casts his vote.

A voter turnout of 37.25 per cent has been recorded in Karnataka as of 1 pm, the Election Commission said.

"I've been voting at that polling booth for the last 55 years. Seeing the enthusiasm of the people, I feel that my party will come to power and we will win with the majority," says Congress national president Mallikarjun Kharge

"Whole country is watching the Karnataka Election. On the one hand, they (BJP) are distributing lots of money & on the other side, there is love of the people (for Congress). I hope that BJP will learn a lesson on 13th May", says Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel

Sons of veteran Kannada actor Ravichandran - Manoranjan and Vikram cast their votes.

An elderly man arrives at a polling booth in Bengaluru's JP Nagar to cast his vote.

Kannada actor Shiva Rajkumar and his wife and JD(S) leader Geetha Shivarajkumar cast their votes.

State Minister and BJP candidate from Tiptur assembly constituency, BC Nagesh and his family cast their votes in Tiptur.

Kannada actor Daali Dhananjaya and his family cast their votes in Kalenahalli Village of Arsikere

Bride and groom along with their family cast their votes at a polling booth in Mysuru

Actor Rishab Shetty arrives at a polling booth in Udupi to cast his vote for Karnataka Assembly Election 2023

Congress national president Mallikarjun Kharge says, "...Congress party will win the election with a thumping majority...We will get more than 130-135 seats"

"We are requesting people to bless JDS candidates to get proper development. Our party will be going to be a King," says Former Karnataka CM & JDS leader HD Kumaraswamy after casting his vote.

Former Karnataka CM & JDS leader HD Kumaraswamy casts his vote for Karnataka Assembly Election 2023, at a polling booth in Ramanagara

"There is a tremendous response from the voters. I will get more than 60 % of the votes. Congress will form the government on its own. I am not going to retire but I will not contest elections. This is my last election," says Former Karnataka CM and Congress leader Siddaramaiah after casting his vote

Former Karnataka CM and Congress candidate from Varuna constituency, Siddaramaiah casts his vote for Karnataka election

"No chances, we will form the government on our own," says Karnataka Congress president DK Shivakumar when asked about the possibilities of a post-poll alliance with JDS

"People across the state are ready to support BJP in Karnataka. We will win nearly 140 seats & get absolute majority. Congress & JD(S) have attempted Muslim appeasement but nationalist Muslims are with us. Those who support anti-national orgs like PFI are with Congress..," says Senior Karnataka BJP leader KS Eshwarappa

Senior Karnataka BJP leader KS Eshwarappa casts his vote at a polling booth in Shivamogga

''Dear Karnataka, Reject Hatred! Vote for development, prosperity & well-being of the society and the people,'' BRS MLC K Kavitha said in a tweet

"I request the voters to vote for the party which works. The future of this country is also involved in this election," says Former Karnataka CM and Congress leader Siddaramaiah

"I've been constantly saying that Congress will get 130 plus seats, it may go up to 150 seats also," says Former Karnataka CM and Congress leader Siddaramaiah

BJP leader and former Karnataka chief minister BS Yediyurappa's son, B Y Vijayendra on Wednesday voted in Shivamogga and expressed confidence that his party will win 135 seats in the Karnataka Assembly polls. "Modi's magic will give us the absolute majority. We will win at least 130 seats in this election. Not only the Lingayat community, but all other castes are also with BJP. Congress will lose the election very badly," said Vijayendra.

Karnataka CM Basavaraj Bommai says, "Congress track record about corruption - a lot of people are out on bail. There are corruption charges and more than 60 cases have been filed with Lokayukta against former CM and others. What are they saying...?

"Child care centres arranged across all polling stations in Haveri district in the ongoing polls.ECI committed to ensure #NoVoterToBeLeftBehind," tweeted Election Commission.

"Karnataka which is the land of Bajrang Bali will answer all these things on 13th May. We welcome DK Shivakumar and Congress party offering prayers to LPG cylinders, we are happy that Congress is doing some kind of puja at least," says BJP MP Tejasvi Surya

“He (Basavaraj Bommai) will win with more than 50,000 votes. BJP is winning the election and will get more than 150 seats," says the wife of Karnataka CM Basavaraj Bommai

"I am 100% sure that my husband will win. Congress govt will come. It (The Kerala Story) will not have any effect in Karnataka. I appeal to people to vote for Congress," says wife of Karnataka Congress president DK Shivakumar

Jagadish Shettar, former Karnataka CM and Congress candidate from Hubli-Dharwad Central Assembly constituency cast his vote

8.26% voter turnout recorded till 9 am

"People should come out and vote. The assurances given by my party have been fulfilled and I hope that people will accept the party whose assurances have been fulfilled," says Former Karnataka CM & BJP leader Sadananda Gowda

Union Minister & BJP leader Shobha Karandlaje arrives at a polling booth in Bengaluru to cast her vote.

Congress party's sitting MLA and candidate from Chittapur assembly constituency, Priyank Kharge alleges that "polling stopped in booth 178 Chamnur village as the Presiding Officer is prompting/influencing people to vote for BJP.

"I am 200% confident Congress party will have 141 seats. We will win an absolute majority..," says Karnataka Congress president DK Shivakumar

Shivakumar says "...Today young voters have a great opportunity...They will vote for a change...They know about the price rise & corruption in the state. I am sure they will go for a change and give us 141 seats. I am confident that Congress party will form the Govt."

Karnataka Congress president and party's candidate from Kanakapura, DK Shivakumar offers prayers at Sri Kenkeramma Temple in Kanakapura, Ramanagara. His brother and party MP DK Suresh is also with him.

BJP Karnataka president Nalin Kumar Kateel arrives at a polling booth in Mangaluru to cast his vote

RSS General Secretary Dattatreya Hosabale casts his vote for Karnataka Elections

I've voted and done my duty towards democracy. It's a privilege to vote in my constituency. I will win by a record margin. People of Karnataka will vote for positive development and BJP will get a comfortable majority," says Karnataka CM Basavaraj Bommai

Kannada actor Ganesh and his wife arrive at a polling booth in RR Nagar, Bengaluru to cast their votes.

A bride casts her vote at polling booth number 165 in Chikkamagaluru.

Karnataka CM and BJP candidate from Shiggaon assembly constituency, Basavaraj Bommai queues up at a polling booth to cast his vote.

"I always tell them (youth) to come and vote and then you have the power to talk, without voting you do not have any power to talk," says Sudha Murty

Kannada actor Ramesh Aravind arrives at a polling booth in Bengaluru to cast his vote.

Co-founder of Infosys, Nandan Nilekani casts his vote at a polling booth in Koramangala, Bengaluru.

Details of electorates, polling booth and EVMs from Election Commission of India

Former Deputy CM and Congress leader G Parameshwara casts his vote at a polling booth in Siddharth Nagar of Tumakuru.

"First, we vote and then we can say this is good, this is not good but if we don't do that then we don't have the right to criticise," says Infosys founder Narayana Murthy after casting his vote in Bengaluru

Sudha Murty gives a message to young voters after casting her vote; says, "Please look at us. We are oldies but we get up at 6 o'clock, come here and vote. Please learn from us. Voting is a sacred part of democracy..."

Karnataka CM Basavaraj Bommai offered prayers at a Hanuman temple in Hubbali as voting continues across the state. He is contesting as a BJP candidate from Shiggaon assembly constituency.

Eshwar Khandre, working president of Karnataka Congress, casts his vote in Bidar's Bhalki area

On Bajrang Dal-Bajrang Bali row during  Karnataka Elections, FM Sitharaman says, "We always read Hanuman Chalisa and offer prayers to Bajrang Bali, but they (Congress) do this during the election...They mentioned that in their manifesto, this is an example of stupidity."

Union FM Nirmala Sitharaman, after casting her vote in Bengaluru says, "...On inflation, I am with the public that yes, there should not be a burden on them but the Opposition has no right (to speak on it). They should look at their own tenure..."

"We've to vote against communal politics. We need Karnataka to be beautiful," says Actor Prakash Raj after casting his vote.

Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman arrives at a polling booth in Bengaluru to cast her vote.

“This is my first election and I am happy that the party gave me the opportunity to contest. I'm blessed to contest from the Shikaripura seat. People are fed up with hung assembly and I am confident that BJP will get majority," says BJP leader BY Vijayendra

Karnataka Home Minister Araga Jnanendra and his family cast their votes in Thirthahalli.

"I am very happy with the way our party conducted the campaign and the way people have reacted. I appeal to people to come and vote for the development of Karnataka," says Karnataka CM Basavaraj Bommai

"I request all people to cast their votes as early as possible. I am 100% sure they will vote in favour of the BJP. More than 75-80% will support BJP. We will win 130-135 seats," says Former Karnataka CM and senior BJP leader BS Yediyurappa