BANGALORE:  Karnataka voting scaled up an average of 8.26 percent voter turnout during the morning session after the completion of the first round of voting which is underway on Wednesday to elect the 224-member state Assembly.
Varuna constituency from where Opposition leader Siddaramaiah and Housing Minister V. Somanna are contesting saw 11.5 percent voting.

In Kodagu district, Virajpet recorded 12.94 percent polling and Madikeri 11 percent. The people in communally-sensitive coastal and hilly districts have come out in large numbers to exercise their right to franchise.

Dakshina Kannada district which seen revenge killings and communal tension also witnessed a large number of voters turning out to polling booths. Sullia recorded 10.77 percent turnout, Puttur 13.34 percent, Bantwal 11.25 percent, Mangalore 15.9 percent polling.

Mangalore City South saw 11.96 percent polling, Mangalore City North 12.33 percent, Moodabidri 12.67 percent, Belthangady 12.02 percent polling.

In Udupi district, Karkal recorded 14.62 percent turnout, Kapu 13.82 percent, Udupi 13.45 percent, Kundapura 14.18 percent and Byndoor 10.81 per cent turnout.  Meanwhile, Gauribidanur constituency in Chikkaballapur district recorded 17.54 percent of voting.

Shiggaon seat from where Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai is contesting recorded 6.73 percent voting. Hubballi-Dharwad Central seat from where former Chief Minister Jagadish Shettar is contesting as Congress candidate recorded 10.08 per cent of voting. Shivamogga constituency where a Bajrang Dal activist Harsha was allegedly killed and serious stabbing incidents occurred registered 10.02 percent of voting.

The counting of the votes is scheduled on May 13.

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