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Bangalore, May 8: With ideology and policies taking a backseat in electoral democracy today, many other factors such as caste, astrology and numerology and doling out of freebies have gained ground in election campaigns. The latest strategy involves confusing voters.

Several namesakes are contesting from the same constituencies, which could prove to be a double-edged sword. Over 20 of the 89 constituencies going to the first phase of Assembly elections in Karnataka on Saturday, have candidates with the same names.

Interestingly, there are four Kumaraswamys contesting in Ramanagara constituency, four Chandrashekars in Basavangudi, four Nagarajs in Hosakote segment, three Sudhakars in Chintamani constituency, two Revannas in Holenarasipur constituency and two Shivakumars in Kanakapura.

Besides JD(S) leader and former chief minister H D Kumaraswamy, M Kumaraswamy of the BSP, B H Kumaraswamy and B S Kumaraswamy are contesting as independents in Ramanagara Assembly constituency.

In Bangalore’s Basavangudi Assembly constituency, former mayor K Chandrashekar, who is seeking reelection for the third time, has to face S K Chandrashekar, A Chandrashekar and Chandrashekar (all independents).

Congress candidate MTP Nagaraj is seeking reelection from Hoskote in Bangalore rural district, where three independents L Nagaraj, M Nagaraj and N Nagaraj are also in the fray. The district also has B N Bachche Gowda (BJP) and A N Bachche Gowda.

Similarly, in Kanakapura Assembly constituency, former Congress minister D K Shivakumar is facing H M Shivakumar and the JD(S) nominee D A Vishwanatah is facing H M Vishwanath (independent).

However, several candidates with the same names may create confusion, even for the literate, if not alter the poll result itself.