39-year-old sets example, votes before undergoing surgery

He is suffering consequences of a kidney stone

Karnataka is voting in 14 constituencies

39-year-old HN Muralidhar set an example as he cast his vote before undergoing a surgery at a constituency in Bengaluru. 

He has a kidney stone and the doctors at Manipal Hospital will perform the relevant surgery to extricate it. As he expressed his wish to cast his vote, an ambulance was made available for him. 

Also Read: Lok Sabha elections 2024: Exercising your right; the importance of voting

Karnataka votes 

As many as 14 constituencies in Karnataka are voting today, in what is phase 1 of the national elections. The second phase will take place on May 7. 

Celebrities, senior citizens vote 

Early this morning, even as the polling booths opened, several celebrities, including actors Prakash Raj, Sapthami Gowda, ex-cricketer Rahul Dravid and specially-abled citizens made their way to the booths to exercise their franchise. 

Overall, India is voting in a 7-phase election that concludes on June 1. The results will be announced on June 4. 

While BJP’s Narendra Modi is hoping for a hattrick of victories, the INDI Alliance plays to be the party spoiler. 

Supreme Court rejects VVPAT verification

Meanwhile, even as the nation votes, the top court junked several pleas seeking 100% verification of VVPATs. At the same time, it also rejected pleas for a return to ballot boxes.