Polling for the Karnataka Assembly elections is in progress with a voter turnout of around 20 per cent in the first three hours. Our correspondent says, polling is so far peaceful.

Early voters include Senior BJP leader M Venkaiah Naidu, Union Ministers M Mallikarjuna Kharge and M Veerappa Moily, Leader of Opposition Siddaramaiah, Karnataka Pradesh Congress Committee President G Parameshwara, BJP State unit President Prahlad Joshi, and Karnataka Janatha Paksha chief B S Yeddyurappa.

Authorities have made elaborate security arrangements for peaceful and smooth conduct of polls, which commenced at 7 am. Polling has been extended by an hour and will take place till 6 PM.

Enthusiasm of voters was particularly evident in Bangalore city, with techies working in the I T sector turning out in large numbers to elect their representatives.

Polling is being held in 223 segments, with the one in Periyapatna in Mysore district having been postponed to May 28 following the death of BJP candidate. More than 4.35 crore people are eligible to exercise their franchise in the single phase poll. Over 2.5 lakh officials are on poll duty. A total of 2940 candidates are in the fray.

AIR Mangalore correspondent reports that for the first time in Dakshina Kannada district, around 390 election centers have been covered by live webcast to bring more ransparency in the ballot process.