During the Karnataka Assembly elections on Wednesday, a 23-year-old woman went into labor while arriving to cast her vote at a polling booth in Kurlagindi village located in the Ballari district. The situation led the polling booth to transform into an impromptu delivery room. It has been reported that female officials and women voters present at the booth provided assistance during the delivery.
The Assembly elections in Karnataka concluded on Wednesday with a significant voter turnout of 65.69% recorded till 5 pm. As per the latest figures, Ramanagara district witnessed the highest voter turnout with 78.22%, whereas the polling was the lowest in parts of Bengaluru city under the Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) South limits at 48.63%, according to the officials.
The Karnataka state is currently witnessing a fierce battle among the ruling BJP, the Congress, and Janata Dal (Secular) led by former prime minister H D Deve Gowda. This three-cornered competition is expected to decide the fate of the upcoming assembly elections in the state.
In a first-of-its-kind initiative, the Election Commission of India has provided the facility of home voting for over 80,000 senior citizens aged 80 years and above, 19,279 persons with disabilities, and 15,328 essential service personnel in the state. This move has been taken to ensure maximum participation of these vulnerable sections of society in the electoral process.
According to the Election Commission, a total of 94,931 senior citizens and persons with disabilities exercised their right to vote from the comfort of their homes. The facility of home voting was initiated by the EC as a precautionary measure during the Covid pandemic for voters aged 80 and above as well as those afflicted with Covid-19. The facility has been utilized by voters in different states across India.
