Udupi-Chikmagalur records 75.74% voter turnout

The voter turnout in Udupi-Chikmagalur Lok Sabha constituency stood at 75.74% in the polling conducted in 1,837 polling stations, including 865 in the Udupi district, on Thursday.

In spite of scorching heat, the voter turnout in Udupi district stood at 78.09% (Kundapur 77.61%, Udupi 78.77%, Kaup 77.77% and Karkala 78.19%) while the polling percentage in Chikkamagaluru district stood at 72.71 (Sringeri 78.86%, Mudigere 73.87%, Chikmagalur 69.44% and Tarikere 72.04 %).

Nearly, 78.2% of 15,13,231 voters in the eight assembly segments of both Udupi and Chikkamagaluru districts had cast their votes. Female voters (79.0%) outnumbered male voters (77.2 %).

Brisk pace

The polling began at a brisk pace and by 9 am, the constituency had reported 12.59% polling. Udupi district had recorded 14.92% voting (Kundapur 13.45%, Udupi 15%, Kaup 15.90%, and Karkala 15.44%) while Chikkamagaluru district’s polling percentage stood at 9.43 (Sringeri 12.78%, Mudigere 9.33%, Chikmagalur 10.17%, and Tarikere 8.34%).

At 5 pm

At 5 pm, the constituency reported 69.24% polling. Udupi district’s polling percentage stood at 73.03 (Kundapur 72.16%, Udupi 73.63%, Kaup, 72.92% and Karkala 73.39%). While the voting percentage in Chikkamagaluru district was 65.25 (Sringeri 70.98%, Mudigere, 60.77%, Chikmagalur 64.16% and Tarikere 65.30%.)

Voter speak

Senior citizens 87-year-old Shreedhar Pai and his wife Sarswathi overcame many inconveniences to cast their votes.

Pai said he had no specific like or dislike for any party or candidate. But he had chosen to exercise his franchise as he did not like his vote go waste.

Chandrashekar Bhat, a MIT professor, had arrived in a wheelchair to exercise his franchise.

He told media persons that it was his duty to vote. As his foot was fractured, he reached the polling booth with the help of volunteers.

Vaishnavi Nayak, who just completed her PU, and Mohammed Yasir, who is in first year B.Com gushed that they were voting for the first time. They said that their votes would make some difference and ensure the victory of a good candidate.

“The polling turnout was reported high in the Maoist-affected areas in Udupi district,” police officials told DH.

The polling booth at Kasanamakki in Kundapur, which is considered a Maoist-affected area, was provided tight security. The polling center had reported 58.21% polling at 12.40 pm.

Confusion

Initially, confusion prevailed among polling officials as to index finger of which hand needed to be applied indelible ink. In some places, the indelible ink was applied on the index finger of the right hand and in some place the ink was found to be applied on the left hand.

EVMs replaced

EVMs in polling booths at Kanchinadka and Varanga in Hebri was replaced immediately after technical glitches were reported. But the EVM at Varanga was replaced second time, after the first replacement of EVM also stopped functioning.