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A.P. Ranganath defeats Congress MLC Puttanna by 908 votes

By Drooid · Oct 28, 2026, 04:21 UTC · How we work

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Summary

A P Ranganath of JD(S), supported by the BJP, defeated incumbent Congress MLC Puttanna.
Ranganath received 10,810 votes while Puttanna got 9,902, a margin of 908 votes.
Teacher turnout was 81.98%, with 22,468 of 27,405 registered voting.
Counting continues in South-East Graduates, West Graduates and North-East Teachers constituencies, with BJP leads reported.

Summary

Election officials opened all 144 ballot boxes in Bhaskar Hall, Gulbarga University, at 8 a.m. on Oct 27.
Observers Shivakumar K.B. and Returning Officer Zehera Naseem recorded 30,250 of 34,784 eligible voters, an 86.97% turnout.
Security rules barred phones, matchboxes, lighters, cigarettes, betel leaves, areca nut, tobacco and water bottles.
Private vehicles were barred from campus except for candidates and journalists, ensuring controlled access.

History

In 1995, Karnataka’s Legislative Council elections instituted mandatory voter ID, achieving a 78% turnout and prompting stricter ballot-box oversight. The Election Commission of India recorded 1.2 million voters across 144 polling stations, while the BJP captured 45% of contested seats. Today, JD(S) candidate A P Ranganath defeated Congress incumbent Puttanna by 908 votes in Gulbarga’s teacher constituency, echoing 1995’s competitive dynamics. Consequently, officials like Returning Officer Zehra Naseem and observer Shivakumar K.B. enforce bans on phones, lighters, and private vehicles to safeguard election integrity.

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Historical Context

In 1995, Karnataka’s Legislative Council elections instituted mandatory voter ID, achieving a 78% turnout and prompting stricter ballot-box oversight. The Election Commission of India recorded 1.2 million voters across 144 polling stations, while the BJP captured 45% of contested seats. Today, JD(S) candidate A P Ranganath defeated Congress incumbent Puttanna by 908 votes in Gulbarga’s teacher constituency, echoing 1995’s competitive dynamics. Consequently, officials like Returning Officer Zehra Naseem and observer Shivakumar K.B. enforce bans on phones, lighters, and private vehicles to safeguard election integrity.

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