Counting of votes begins for North-East Teachers’ constituency in Karnataka Council elections

Deputy Commissioner Ikram Shariff, Regional Commissioner Zehera Naseem, and Police Commissioner S.D. Sharanappa witness the opening of the strongroom at Gulbarga University in Kalaburagi for the counting of votes in the North-East Teachers’ constituency election, on October 27, 2026. | Photo Credit: ARUN KULKARNI The counting of votes polled in the election to the North-East Teachers’ constituency of the Karnataka Legislative Council began at 8 a.m. on October 27 at Bhaskar Hall in the Mathematics Department of Gulbarga University in Kalaburagi.The strongroom containing the ballot boxes was opened in the presence of election observer Shivakumar K.B., Returning Officer and Regional Commissioner Zehera Naseem, Deputy Commissioner Ikram Shariff, Police Commissioner S.D. Sharanappa, candidates and their election agents.All 144 ballot boxes were opened, the ballot papers bundled in groups of 25 were made and placed in barrels for randomisation before being taken up for counting. The bundles were then distributed to the counting tables. Deputy Commissioner Ikram Shariff, Regional Commissioner Zehera Naseem, and Police Commissioner S.D. Sharanappa with the 144 ballot boxes in the background. | Photo Credit: ARUN KULKARNI A total of 14 tables had been arranged for the counting process. Each table has one district-level officer and two assistant officers, with a Group D employee assigned to assist in transporting the ballot boxes. As 13 candidates are in the fray, 13 trays have been provided at each table, along with separate trays for rejected and doubtful ballot papers.The election was held on October 23, with 30,250 of the 34,784 eligible voters exercising their franchise, recording a turnout of 86.97%.The constituency covers seven districts, whose Deputy Commissioners will oversee the counting process, with each officer supervising two tables, according to the election authorities.Elaborate security arrangements have been made to maintain law and order. Mobile phones, matchboxes, lighters, fountain pens, cigarettes, betel leaves, areca nut, tobacco, and water bottles have been prohibited inside the counting centre. Private vehicles have been barred from entering the university campus, with exceptions for candidates and journalists.The 13 candidates in the fray include Congress candidate Sharanappa Mattur, BJP candidate Shashil G. Namoshi, Aam Aadmi Party candidate Sayabanna, and Janata Dal (United) candidate Shankareddy Patil. The remaining nine candidates are independents. The counting process is expected to continue through the day. Published - October 27, 2026 01:22 pm IST