JOIN USThe polling began at a brisk pace in the majority of the polling booths in the Dakshina Kannada Lok Sabha constituency on Thursday, amid tight security arrangements to ensure a free and fair election.
The voter turnout in the constituency stood at 77.25%. The polling was peaceful in the district.
It may be recalled that Dakshina Kannada constituency in the previous (2014) Lok Sabha election had registered highest voter turnout of 77.14%.
In 1951—South Kanara North had registered 64% polling while South Kanara South had registered 60.55%. In 1957—Mangalore had recorded 57.43% polling while Udupi had recorded 52.83%. Till 1991, the Lok Sabha constituency had not crossed 60% polling.
Long queues could be seen at most booths since 7 am. According to the official poll percentage update, the constituency recorded 14% polling at 9 am.
At 1 pm--the district recorded 48.85% polling with Belthangady Assembly segment registering 48.36%, Moodbidri-48.55%, Mangalore City North-47.24%, Mangalore City South-43.34%, Mangalore-45.80%, Bantwal-50.60%, Puttur-51.66% and Sullia-53.13%.
At 3 pm--the district recorded 60.02% polling with Belthangady— 60.57% Moodbidri— 59.02%, Mangalore City North— 58.33%, Mangalore City South— 54.49%, Mangalore— 57.42%, Bantwal— 62.05%, Puttur—64.06 and Sullia— 65.04.
At 5 pm--the district had registered 72.3% polling with Belthangady-75.82%, Moodbidri-71.03%, Mangalore city North—71%, Mangalore city south-65.17%, Mangalore-60.03%, Bantwal-75.65%, Puttur-77.64% and Sullia-74.34%.
Delay
Technical glitch at Savya polling booth in Belthangady delayed the commencement of polling by 45 minutes.
A sector officer at Mani said that there was printer error in VVPAT at Peraje, Ananthady and Neralakatte, which was replaced within 10 to 15 minutes.
Across the polling booths in the district, a few voters were found returning to their homes to get any one of the 11 identity cards recognised by the Election commission as they had brought only voter slip with them to exercise their franchise.
At Government School at Kumpala, those who had brought mobile phones were asked to keep it outside the polling booth. Later, the police personnel were seen reminding the voters to take back their phones.
Heated exchange
Heated words were exchanged between SDPI and Congress workers after SDPI workers were found standing within 100-meter radius of the polling booth at DK Zilla Panchayat School at Hirthadka, Uppinangady. A political party leader said the issue was sorted out amicably as a majority of the voters in the polling booth were relatives.
Endo victims
Endosulfan victims like Tulasi and Kusuma were carried to the polling booth at Government Higher Primary School, Upparapalike in the vehicles arranged by the district administration to cast their votes.
At Upparapalike, 20 endosulfan victims, who are also voters, cast their votes by 1 pm. At Government Higher Primary School, Kokkada, 8 endosulfan victims had exercised their franchise by 1 pm. The physically challenged persons and endosulfan victims were provided with wheelchairs and were assisted by volunteers at the polling booths.
Boycott
Residents of Maoist-affected areas coming under Kuthloor polling booth in Belthangady boycotted election over lack of development works.
Sources said, “A few residents of Alamba, Panjalu and Nellithadka had remained away from polling as they felt that they have been neglected by the authorities. They do not have road connectivity and electricity connection.” Though higher officials had promised to solve their problems, residents didn’t turn up to cast their votes.
First-time voter
An elated first time voter, Prabha said that she was happy to exercise her franchise in the Lok Sabha election at Kuthloor. “I am confident that I have cast my vote to an able candidate.”
A 72-year-old Korpalu said, “Voting is my right and I have been exercising my franchise since I attained 18 years.”
A petrol bunk at Kadri in Mangaluru offered Re 1 worth petrol free for those who had cast their vote. If a person purchased petrol worth Rs 1,000, then he was given petrol worth Rs 10 free.