Karnataka: Bypolls to Sira, R R Nagar constituencies end smoothly

BENGALURU: The bypolls to two assembly seats, Rajarajeshwari Nagar in Bengaluru and Sira in Tumkur district, were held smoothly amid Covid-19 fears. This was the second round of elections the state has witnessed since the outbreak of the pandemic, after polls were held for four legislative council seats in the last week of October.

While Covid-19 did not dampen the spirit of the voters in Sira, which reported a good turnout, RR Nagar saw low voting. RR Nagar registered 45.24% voting while 82.31% votes were cast in Sira.

In the 2018 assembly election, RR Nagar had registered 54% voter turnout and Sira had recorded 84.31%.


The local authorities took all precautionary measures as per the Election Commission of India guidelines for conducting elections during the pandemic. For the first time, accredited social health activists (ASHAs) were deployed in all polling stations to take care of the hygiene aspect. Besides compulsory wearing of masks, voters were asked to use hand sanitisers, their temperature was checked and they were handed gloves to wear to minimise chances of the spread of the infection.

In one of the polling stations in a nursing institute, an ozone disinfection box was placed to disinfect voters. The election authorities had also made arrangements for Covid positive persons to vote from 5 pm to 6 pm. Election staff put on a full body suit for an hour in the evening to ensure safety.

Several voters ET spoke to in RR Nagar said they were happy with the arrangements. Yashodha, 65, a heart patient, who came to cast her vote at Anand Social and Educational Institute said she was not worried about Covid despite her pre-existing medical condition. “The polling station looks quite safe. People are maintaining social distance when they stand in the queue. I am not worried,” she said.

The bypolls, which saw vigorous campaigning by the ruling BJP as well as the opposition Congress and JD(S) over the past few weeks, are a test for chief minister BS Yediyurappa and newly appointed Karnataka Pradesh Congress Committee president DK Shivakumar.

Counting of votes will take place on November 10.