As much as 71.63 per cent of the total 2.93 crore voters have exercised their franchise in the elections to Zilla and Taluk Panchayats, polling for which was held in two phases in the State.

According to statistics released by the State Election Commission (SEC) on Sunday, polling in this elections has increased by 3.14 per cent compared to previous ZP and TP elections held in 2010. The SEC conducted polling in two phases on February 13 and 20. Counting of votes is scheduled on February 23.

“The Commission had conducted awareness programme on the importance of voting across the State. The programme appears to have yielded results. Moreover, polling was held peacefully without any major incident of violence anywhere in the State. Re-polling was conducted in only one booth in Uttara Kannada,” State Election Commissioner P N Srinivasachari said. Bengaluru Rural district has recorded the highest voter turnout with 83.90 per cent, followed by Ramanagar and Kolar districts with 81.95 per cent and 80.97 per cent respectively. Yadgir district has recorded the lowest turnout with 62.21 per cent, as per the SEC.

The ZP and TP elections are crucial for both the ruling Congress and opposition parties in the State. Outcome of the polls is seen as a litmus test of the popularity of the Siddaramaiah government, which has rolled out several populist schemes.