New Delhi: Mallikarjun Kharge, the president of the Congress on Wednesday said, the people of Karnataka have decided to elect a progressive, open, and welfare-oriented government

On Wednesday, voting for the Karnataka Assembly elections started under heavy security. Beginning at 7 am, voting will go on until 6 pm.

Today, it is time to vote in large numbers... We welcome our first-time voters to partake in this democratic process for a better future," Kharge tweeted

Priyanka Gandhi, a prominent member of the Congress, also urged voters to exercise the franchise. "I urge all my sisters and brothers in Karnataka to go out there and vote for change as voting for the assembly elections gets underway." It's time to install a strong, development-focused, and capable administration that works nonstop to improve your life, he said.

The state's three major political parties, the BJP, the Congress, and the Janata Dal-Secular (JDS), have all made an effort to win over voters by making promises and accusing one another in an effort to gain control of the state's 224-seat Assembly.

In Karnataka, 224 assembly constituencies are up for election, and there are 2,615 candidates running. On May 13, the day of the vote count, the outcome of the candidates will be announced. There will be voting at 58,545 polling places, including auxiliary polling places.

According to the Election Commission of India, the majority mark to form the government is 113 seats. 42,48,028 new voters have registered to cast ballots in the upcoming assembly elections.

The voting is being held for 224 assembly constituencies in Karnataka with 2,615 candidates in the fray. The fate of the candidates will be known on May 13, the day of counting votes. Polling is scheduled across 58,545 polling stations including auxiliary polling stations.

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