II phase of GP elections largely peaceful

The second and final phase of the Gram Panchayat elections passed off peacefully on Tuesday, amid stray incidents of violence, boycotts and protests. 

Davangere

People in Karadidurga village of Harapanahalli taluk boycotted the polls, on the grounds that they did not get a chance to contest. People in Harlapur of Harihar taluk boycotted the elections, demanding that their village and Amaravathi be included into the City Municipal Council limits. Clashes occurred between the supporters of candidates at some villages.

Chitradurga
Police resorted to mild lathi charge to disperse the mob and arrested one of the candidates for snatching ballot boxes and attempting to take them outside the polling booth at TG colony at Adiwala Gram Panchayat limits in Hiriyur taluk.

Shivamogga
People of Chikkajeni of Hosanagar taluk held a protest outside the polling centre against the appearance of the names of dead persons in the voters list and exclusion of genuine ones. There was good response to the elections in 29 polling centres in a few naxal-infested GPs of the district.

Kalaburagi
In a clash between two groups over a petty issue, two persons were injured and three vehicles were damaged at Ullesugur Tanda in Shahpur taluk. Six people were injured in clashes over missing names in voters’ list at Naikal village in Shahpur taluk.
Quite a few incidents of change in symbols, leading to suspension of polling, were reported.

Chikkaballapur
A total of 18 transgenders exercised their franchise in the district.
At Kottanur village in Kuppahalli GP, a person by name Suresh wanted to cast his vote in the name of Sushma, claiming that he had got his gender changed five years ago. However, the returning officer refused permission, saying that he had been identified as Suresh in the voters’ list. Suresh went home without voting, but returned after a while saying that he doesn’t want to lose his right to vote.

Bidar
The State Election Commission, on a pilot basis, introduced special electronic voting machines (EVMs) in the district. These EVMs can be used wherever more than one member has to be elected.

Tumakuru
The family members of D K Ravi, the former IAS officer who died under mysterious circumstances, boycotted election at Doddakoppalu village, condemning the ‘dual stand’ of the government over his death.