Karnataka Election 2018: 70% turnout, exit polls predict fractured mandate

Karnataka Assembly Election 2018: BJP hopes to snatch yet another state from ruling Congress, while JD(S) is projected to play the kingmaker

A high-stakes battle for the Karnataka Assembly ended on Saturday evening, with over 35 million voting in an election crucial for the ruling Congress as well as the BJP and the JD-S.

Chief Minister Siddaramaiah said he was "very very confident" that the Congress would retain power in the only major southern state it now rules even as officials said about 70 per cent of the over 5.06 crore electorate had voted till 6 pm.

Voting was peaceful by and large barring a few incidents of some non-functional EVMs, missing voter names and procedural delays, an official told IANS.

All three main contenders