Just 45.63% voters turn up for Lakkasandra ward by-election

Less than half of the 28,711 voters in the Lakkasandra ward turned up to exercise their franchise in the BBMP by-election that was necessitated by the death of BJP corporator K Mahesh Babu.

Though polling was slated to start at 7 am, the 28 polling booths came to life only after 8.45 am as people streamed in late as it was Sunday. The turnout remained dismal until noon with just 25-30% of the voters turning up. When polling concluded at 5 pm, just 13,100 or 45.63% people exercised their franchise, a BBMP official said.

Out of the 28 booths, five each were categorised into hyper-sensitive and sensitive, and were guarded by around 100 police personnel.

Among the candidates was Mahesh Babu’s wife, Sarala, who contested on the BJP ticket. She cast her vote at polling booth number 24. Speaking to DH, she said she was positive about her victory as she had canvassed over the last 10 days. “My husband was actively taking up development works in the ward and I will follow in his footsteps if I win,” she said.

Mahesh Babu was killed in an accident on the Bengaluru-Mysuru highway on July 17, 2016. Sarala’s rivals were B Mohan of the Congress, Parvez Ahmed of the JD(S) and Saifullah Sanaullah (Independent).

Lakkasandra is part of BTM Layout Assembly constituency which is represented by Transport Minister Ramalinga Reddy.

The minister, along with local Congress leaders, visited the polling booths to “keep an eye” on troublemakers. Speaking to reporters later, he said he was hopeful of the Congress candidate emerging victorious.

Some of the voters, who got their right index finger inked at banks for currency exchange last week, were inked again during the by-election.

Result on Wednesday
The votes will be counted on November 23, BBMP Commissioner N Manjunath Prasad said and added that all the preparations were in place.