65.6 pc polling in Madikeri

Congress candidate from ward 23 assaulted

 A Congress candidate from ward 23 was assaulted allegedly by SDPI workers during polling, on Sunday. 

Abdul Razak and three others were assaulted lethally by Jaleel, Khaleel and associates. 

Soon after Razak was admitted to the hospital, the accused too have admitted themselves to the hospital alleging assault by the Congress workers. 

Speaking to mediapersons, Abdul Razak said that he was assaulted near the polling booth. “The SDPI members have been conspiring to assault me for the last few days. I had brought the issue to the notice of the police. However, the police have failed to initiate action in this regard.” 

He said that the SDPI should be banned. 

“Assault following a political rivalry is a bad trend. The police have failed in  their duty,” he said. 

Barring  the assault in ward number 23, the polling for Madikeri CMC was peaceful. There was brisk polling in the morning in majority of the polling booths.

 The total percentage of polling registered was 65.6 per cent, said election officers Thirumalesh and Sridhar. 

Out of 11,934 male voters, 7,848 have exercised their franchise and 8,162 female voters have cast their vote. 

Voters were seen standing in the queue at polling booths at Field Marshal K M Cariappa College, St Joseph School, St Michael School, Blossom School, taluk panchayat office and CMC Higher Primary School.

 Deputy Commissioner Anurag Tiwari, Election Observer P I Srividya, Additional Deputy Commissioner  H Prasanna and others visited polling booths and take note of the situation.