Mysore/Mysuru, April 26 -- Voting for the second phase of the 18th Lok Sabha elections began in Karnataka this morning at 7 am and is set to wrap up by 6 pm. In a departure from previous Lok Sabha polls, voters were observed flocking to the polling booths early in the morning in various parts of the city.

The surge in early turnout is credited to concerns about the anticipated increase in the maximum temperature later in the day. This prompted a significant number of voters to cast their ballots in the morning hours to avoid the heat later in the day.

A fierce and direct contest is underway between the Congress and the BJP-JD(S) alliance in southern Karnataka. Out of the 28 seats in the State, 14 are up for grabs in the hinterlands of s...