Legislative Council By-Election: 392 polling stations, 6,032 voters

Mangaluru: The Karnataka Legislative Council by-election for the Dakshina Kannada local authorities constituency will take place on October 21, 2024. All necessary preparations for the election have been completed.

The constituency, which covers both Dakshina Kannada and Udupi districts, has a total of 392 polling stations with 6,032 eligible voters. These voters include elected members from gram panchayats, urban local bodies, MLAs, and MPs from the two districts.

In Dakshina Kannada district, 223 gram panchayats have 3,263 eligible voters, while Mangaluru City Corporation has 65 voters. There are 64 voters in two town municipalities, 74 in three town panchayats, and 86 in five town councils.

In Udupi district, 153 gram panchayats have 2,355 voters. The Udupi city municipality has 36 voters, three town panchayats have 72 voters, and one town council has 17 voters.

Out of the total, Dakshina Kannada has 3,552 voters across 234 polling stations (1,710 men and 1,842 women). Udupi district has 2,480 voters across 158 polling stations (1,195 men and 1,285 women). Altogether, 6,032 voters will cast votes in 392 polling stations across both districts.

Belthangady taluk has the highest number of polling stations (49), while Bantwal taluk has the highest number of voters (793). Hebri taluk has the lowest number of polling stations (9) and the fewest voters (122).

The highest number of voters in Dakshina Kannada is in Mangaluru City Corporation (65), while Udupi district’s Shiruru gram panchayat has the highest with 44 voters.

To ensure the smooth conduct of the election, 470 officers, including polling officers, assistant polling officers, and micro-observers, have been assigned to each of the 392 polling stations.

The votes will be counted on October 24, 2024, at St. Aloysius Pre-University College, Mangaluru.

Kishore B.R. (Bharatiya Janata Party), Raju Poojary (Indian National Congress), Anwar Sadat S. (Social Democratic Party of India), and Dinakar Ullal (Independent) are in the fray.