Karnataka Assembly Elections 2018 Live Results: Counting underway at Haliyal, Karwar, Kumta, Bhatkal, Sirsi, Yellapur, Hangal, Shiggaon, Haveri, Byadgi, Hirekerur, Ranebennur, Hadagali, Hagaribommanahalli and Vijayanagara

A neck-and-neck contest is going on in Karnataka Assembly Polls Results 2018.

BENGALURU: The Bharatiya Janata Party or BJP crossed the halfway mark on Tuesday within the first three hours of counting during Karnataka Assembly Polls Results 2018. The party is now set to form the government, leading in more than 121 seats. The Congress, which got an early lead, could barely hold on to 57 seats. JDS+ also secured a lead in 42 seats. BJP candidate Yeddyurappa is leading From Shikaripura. Incumbent Chief Minister and senior Congress leader Siddaramaiah trailed behind in Chamundeshwari and maintained a small lead in Badami seats 

All eyes are set on the Karnataka Assembly Election results, counting of which are currently underway at 38 centres in 30 districts across the state. In this Live Karnataka Results blog, we follow the election trends for 15 constituencies: Haliyal, Karwar, Kumta, Bhatkal, Sirsi, Yellapur, Hangal, Shiggaon, Haveri, Byadgi, Hirekerur, Ranebennur, Hadagali(SC), Hagaribommanahalli (SC) and Vijayanagara. By the end of the day, the fates of over 2,600 candidates, contesting from 222 seats out of 224-assembly constituencies, including 36 reserved for Scheduled Castes and 15 for the Scheduled Tribes, will be decided. 

Over 72 per cent of the 4.94-crore strong electorate voted on Saturday, May 12, recording the highest voter turnout in the last 35 years. 

The results of these high-pitched elections are being touted to be the precursor to the upcoming Lok Sabha polls in 2019, with many predicting the winner of these polls will be the kingmaker. 

The BJP, which currently has formed government solo or in alliance in 21 states and eyeing the 22nd state, fought from 222 constituencies. Congress also contested from 222 constituencies. The Janata Dal-Secular (JD-S) fielded candidates for 201 seats while its ally Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) contested from 21 seats. There were 1,155 Independents and about 800 candidates from national, regional and fringe parties.

15 May 2018

09:14 IST

Congress is ahead in 93 seats, while Congress is close behind in 91 seats. JDS+ is still strong in 26 seats
Election trends for Karnataka Assembly Elections: 211/222
BJP: 93
Congress: 91
JDS+: 26
Others: 1

09:04 IST

From Hadagalli,  Congress candidate PT Parameshwara Naik is ahead of BJP candidate Chandranaik B.