Bangalore: Voting commenced this morning in 69 constituencies across eight North Karnataka Districts in the third and final phase of assembly elections in the state.

An estimated 1.17 crore electorate will decide the poll fortunes of 699 aspirants, prominent among them include former chief minister N Dharam Singh of Congress, KPCC President M Mallikarjun Kharge, Jagadish Shettar (BJP), A B Patil and H K Patil (both Congress).

The authorities have pressed about 58,000 personnel for security in the districts of Belgaum, Bagalkot, Bijapur, Gulbarga, Bidar, Gadag, Dharwad and Haveri.

Two BJP MPs -- Ramesh Jigajinagi and Basanagouda Patil Yatnal -- are also in fray in this phase in which 23 women candidates are seeking to enter the assembly.

The first phase of polling was held in 89 segments on May 10 and the second phase in 66 constituencies on May 16.

The counting of votes for all the 224 constituencies will be taken up on May 25.

Source : PTI