Bengaluru, April 8 (NationPress) The preparations are finalized for the polling in two Assembly segments, Davanagere South and Bagalkot, scheduled for April 9. Candidates are making their final appeals to the electorate. Chief Minister Siddaramaiah has called on voters to back the Congress candidates, while the Bharatiya Janata Party remains confident of a victory over Congress in these bypolls.

Polling officials have implemented essential security and logistical measures to guarantee a seamless voting experience. Voting will commence at 7 am and finish at 6 pm.

In the Bagalkot Assembly segment, there are 259,000 registered voters and nine candidates contesting. A total of 332 polling stations have been arranged. The voter demographics show 126,000 male voters and 132,000 female voters. Approximately 1,564 personnel and additional security forces have been assigned to oversee the polling activities.

Increased security measures have been established for polling booths categorized as sensitive and hyper-sensitive. Comprehensive security protocols are also in place to ensure safe voting.

Bagalkot District Election Officer Sangappa reassured voters that there is no cause for concern. Special arrangements are available for voters aged 80 and above, allowing them to cast their votes from home. Those preferring to visit polling locations will have wheelchair access.

The primary competition in Bagalkot is between Congress candidate Umesh Meti and BJP candidate Veeranna Charantimath. This bypoll came about due to the passing of Congress MLA H.Y. Meti.

In the Davanagere South Assembly segment, authorities have established 284 polling stations, with 76 recognized as sensitive. Prohibitory orders have been enacted within a 200-meter radius of polling sites. The constituency has 231,000 voters and 25 candidates in the contest. More than 1,000 security personnel have been allocated to ensure safety.

The Congress has nominated Samarth Mallikarjun, while the BJP has chosen Srinivas T. Dasakariyappa. Afsar Kodlipet is running as the candidate from the Social Democratic Party of India. This bye-election was prompted by the death of veteran Congress leader and MLA Shamanur Shivashankarappa.

On Wednesday evening, Chief Minister Siddaramaiah urged voters in both Davanagere South and Bagalkot to support Congress candidates in the upcoming by-elections, emphasizing the legacy of esteemed leaders and the importance of maintaining developmental progress.

While addressing voters in Davanagere South, he honored the late Shamanur Shivashankarappa as a dedicated Congress leader who devoted his life to public service, having served six terms as an MLA, been an MP, and the president of the All India Veerashaiva Lingayat Mahasabha.

He credited Shivashankarappa's vision and dedication for the progress of both the constituency and the district and encouraged voters to elect Congress candidate Samarth Shamanur to continue that legacy.

Siddaramaiah described the election as an ideological struggle between the BJP and Congress's secular principles, warning voters against falling for misinformation and divisive tactics.

In Bagalkot, he recalled the contributions of the late H.Y. Meti, who had served as an MLA, minister, and MP, advocating for the welfare of all communities. Referring to his passing as an immense loss, the Chief Minister stated that the by-election provides a chance to honor his legacy.

He called on voters to support Umesh Meti, assuring them that he would uphold his father's development agenda and be a representative voice for the people in the Assembly.

Conversely, the BJP State President and MLA B.Y. Vijayendra reached out to voters in Davanagere South and Bagalkot. He stated: "For the holistic development of these constituencies, I urge you to cast your invaluable vote for T. Srinivas Dasakariyappa (Serial Number 2), the BJP candidate in the Davanagere South by-election, and to ensure his victory with the widest possible margin. I also encourage you to guarantee the success of Charantimath Veerabhadrayya (Veeranna) (Serial Number 2), the BJP candidate in Bagalkot, with a significant majority for the comprehensive development of the Bagalkot constituency."

BJP MLC C.T. Ravi asserted that Congress's defeat is unavoidable, attributing it to the poor governance of the state government. He stated that if they had provided effective governance, they might have succeeded in this bye-election, and he believes they will lose in the upcoming general elections.