Decoding the Loksabha Elections in Karnataka

With the completion of second phase of elections in Karnataka the fate of 427 leaders has been sealed. No doubt that this election has thrown up several interesting features in Karnataka.

‘Operation kamala’ which led to many leaders mainly from the Congress and JDS ‘converting’ to BJP. 

There were 45 crorepatis who contested in the 15^th loksabha elections!

There were four former chief ministers in fray.

A total of 427 candidates (there were only 172 in 2004) from 28 constituencies. Bangalore Central with 37 candidates had largest number of candidates and two constituencies, Chikkodi (7) and Bellary (7), had least number of candidates.

The very poor voter turnout in the first phase of elections held on 23rd April and Bangalore city witnessing only 46.6 per cent voter turnout.

The second phase of elections was more satisfactory in terms of voter turnout though it was marred by naxal threats in some areas.

As per the 2001 census data there are only three districts which have a sex ratio in favour of females, namely, Udupi (1130 females per 1000 males), Dakshina Kannada (1022/1000) and Hassan (1004/1000). Interestingly, these three districts had very high voter turnouts with Dakshina Kannada recording the highest voter turnout (72 %) followed by Hassan (68.5 %) and Udupi-Chikmangalore (62.5 %).  

With what has happened in Dakshina Kannada in the last few months (most vivid being the police beating many Christian women during the church attacks and the assault on women during the pub attack) this high voter turn out only reaffirms that many women have chosen the right way to give vent to their rage in terms of voting in high numbers. Three cheers to the women of Karnataka and especially to the women of Dakshina Kannada, Hassan and Udupi-Chikmangalore!