In Hoskote, the place which is ‘traditionally prone’ to violent outbursts during elections, the police did not take any chances: Around 200 police personnel were deployed around the Government PU College - the counting centre.
Gates were heavily barricaded and people kept constantly gathered near the counting premises, erupting in wild cheers, every time an agent signalled somebody leading.
Although the crowds kept surging towards the gate every once a while, the police managed to disperse them. An election observer commented that the crowds had attempted to enter the counting centre en masse in the morning, but were prevented by the police.
In Yelahanka, where counting of votes for Gram Panchayats under the Bangalore north and south taluks of Bangalore urban district was underway, a large number of people had gathered close to the counting centres though it was not allowed as per the rule book.
Though, GP elections are supposed to be apolitical, the obvious truth kept surfacing in the form of flags of a major political party being waved, every once in a while. Out of 438 seats being decided at Hoskote taluk, 111 were declared unopposed and one more candidate in Mutkur too was elected unopposed.
Interestingly, in Nandagudi-2, there was an initial tie for Backward Class-A General category, between Nagesh N and Ramegowda M with each securing 305 votes. The votes were counted once again after one of the candidates demanded for a recount in which Ramegowda was declared the winner with 306 votes.
Stringent security was prevalent at Devanahalli taluk counting centre as well, where counting was underway for elections to 109 seats. The counting centre was barricaded for 200 metres on either sides, blocking a main road completely. Though hordes of people had turned up for the counting, they were peaceful and found satisfied to wait in the shade until their candidate’s fate was announced.
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