Update (05:43 PM)Image: TopIndianNewsCounting votes for the crucial Karnataka assembly elections in 2023 is underway, as the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) seeks to preserve its grip on the state against a stiff challenge from the Congress party. This election is the years first major political event.Exit poll predictionsAccording to exit polls, the Karnataka assembly elections are set to be a close race. The Congress party is expected to win the most seats, but it may need more than the 113-seat requirement. According to the states chief election officer, voting in Karnataka took place on a single day with a voter participation of 73.19 per cent.The district of Chikkaballapura achieved the highest voter turnout percentage, with a remarkable 85.56 per cent participation. In contrast, the southern division of the state capital Bengaluru recorded the lowest turnout, with only 52.33 per cent of eligible voters exercising their right to vote.Vote counting began at 8 a.m. in 36 locations across the state. The majority of exit polls have favoured the Congress party over the governing BJP, implying the possibility of a hung Assembly in which no single party has a clear majority. The JD(S) party also expects a hung verdict since it would allow them to play a substantial role in creating the next government.Live updates of vote countingAs of now, Congress wins in 121 seats and BJP in 56. According to current trends, the Congress party appears to be on track to reclaim power in Karnataka, as it now leads in 136 seats (including the seats won), above the 113-seat majority level. The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), on the other hand, is seeing a major decline in its seat share, leading in just over 64 (including the seats won) seats. The Janata Dal (Secular), led by HD Deve Gowda, has gained a 20-seat lead after winning 37 seats in the 2018 elections.
