Ch'nagar dist polls 78.65 pc, creates record after three decades

After a gap of three and a half decades, the district has registered a record voting percentage in the Assembly polls that was held on May 5. The voting percentage of all the four Assembly constituencies is said to be 78.65 per cent.

Similar percentage of voting was recorded in the Assembly polls that was held in 1978, which had shown 78.06 per cent, which had remained a record till date. But, there was five constituencies at the time and after delimitation of constituencies Santhemarahalli reserve constituency ceased to exist in 2008.

In the eight elections held between 1978 and 2008, the voting percentage was not more than 70 per cent.

There was a poor turnout despite efforts taken by the Election Commission during every polls to improve the poll percentage. Hence, the district administration and the Election Commission had taken joint efforts to increase voting and had organised various awareness programmes related to this.

Streetplays, jathas were held at the polling booths limits where the poll percentage was lower. Meanwhile as per the EC’s directive steps were taken to include new names and 19,454 new voters were included in the voter’s list.

Awareness

The awareness programmes by the local officers, voluntary organisations, school and college students has resulted in the increase in voting.

The first election that was held in 1952 recorded 42 per cent voting and that is the least recorded percentage so far. In 1957 it was 53.87 pc; 1962-65.63 pc;1967 - 70.17 pc; 1972-64.54 pc; 1978 - 78.06; 1983-70.44; 1985-72.88; 1989-73.91; 1994-74.78 pc. It was 72 per cent in 1999 and 72.41 per cent in 2004.

The delimitation process of constituencies was done in 2008 and there were only four constituencies left. The voting percentage recorded was 73.86 per cent.

According to statistics, Chamarajanagar constituency recorded 78 per cent polling, Gundlupet 84.85 pc, Kollegal 75.89 pc and Hanur 75.72 pc.

Dist gets 82.36 pc

The district has fared better in SSLC results compared to last year and has secured 15th place in the State with 82.36 pass percentage. Last year, it was in the 28th place.
Out of 11,458 students, who had appeared for the exams, 9,437 have passed — 79.19 per cent boys and 85.57 per cent girls.

Deputy Director for Public Instruction N Chandregowda said the teachers and students had put in extra efforts this time on the directions from the district administration.