JOIN USPolling for the Assembly elections in eight Assembly constituencies in Dakshina Kannada district commenced at a brisk pace on Saturday. Morning walkers and senior citizens were seen waiting for their turn as early as 7 am.
Dakshina Kannada district has registered 77.63% polling, which is 3% more than the 2013 elections (74.48%) and 4% more than the 2008 elections (73.08%). No untoward incidents were reported in any of the 1,858 polling booths. The percentage of polling in each constituency is as follows: Belthangady—81.40%, Moodbidri-75.41%, Mangaluru North—74.55%, Mangaluru South—67.47%, Mangaluru—75.73%, Bantwal—81.89%, Puttur—81.70% and Sullia—83%.
DK DC Sasikanth Senthil said that 24 control units, 21 ballot units and 42 VVPATs developed technical glitches in the district which were rectified by technical experts.
Polling was brisk in the district since morning. At 11 am, the district had registered 24.79%—Belthangady - 26%; Moodbidri -19%, Mangaluru City North -30%, Mangaluru City South- 23%, Mangaluru - 30%, Bantwal -29%, Puttur -21% and Sullia - 30.25%.
By 1 pm, the district had recorded 46% polling with Bantwal topping the list with 53%, followed by Bantwal—53%, Puttur-51%, Mangaluru North-48% Mangaluru-47%, Sullia and Moodbidri-43% each. By 3 pm, the district had recorded 55.26% polling with Belthangady registering 65.12%. By 5 pm, the total percentage was 72.05, with Bantwal registering a highest of 79.07%. All streets leading towards polling stations were abuzz with activities, while traffic movement was less on the main roads.
Cold house owner Gokuldas Shenoy distributed free ice candies with the party flag colours to the BJP and Congress workers near Vittal Junior College.
Faulty EVMs delayed polling at first ward in Uppinangady in Dakshina Kannada district by one hour. Polling commenced after half an hour at Mundaje third ward due to faulty EVM. Capitanio and Bengre polling booth in Mangaluru too faced technical glitches.
People were standing in a queue for their turn to exercise their franchise at Falnir St Mary’s School in Mangaluru at 6.30 am.
BJP activists complained of technical glitches at Bandithadka polling station in Kanyana in Bantwal but these were later rectified by replacing the EVM. The police intervened and brought the situation under control when there was a hue and cry over a few political parties campaigning at Delanthabettu in Kanyana.
The technical glitches in EVM were noticed during the test voting at Noojibailu in Nettanige Mudnoor in Puttur. Later, the EVM was replaced by the sector officer. The fault in EVMs was also reported at Mithadka and Bettampady in Puttur.
Polling commenced half an hour late at Kuthar school in Munnur village of Mangaluru constituency.
Police personnel cleared the shamiyana put up by the political parties in Munnur polling booth.
A 90-year-old man who was ailing was brought in an ambulance to Nellikatte Higher Primary School to exercise his franchise. Madhav Padiyal, a senior Sangh Parivar member, had expressed his willingness to cast the vote. Accordingly, he was taken in an ambulance to the booth and then carried inside the booth so that he could to exercise the franchise.
In another interesting incident, Kamalabai, a 103-year-old woman, arrived at the polling booth to exercise her franchise at Pandeshwara in Mangaluru. She was accompanied by her family members. In fact, she was seen showing her EPIC to the photographers.
Another centenarian, 101-year-old Mamunhia Panaje in Puttur and 100-year-old Shanthamma in Belandoor in Sullia too exercised their franchise. 97-year-old Radha Moolya came along with her son to the polling booth at Babbukatte to exercise her franchise.
Another-92-year old Mariamma cast her vote at Sullia Car Street booth.
A 70-year-old man who had been to the polling booth passed away following a cardiac arrest at Andinje in Belthangady Taluk. The deceased is Anni Acharya. He collapsed in front of the school where he was supposed to exercise the franchise.
In another incident, another man, who was on his way to cast his vote, collapsed and died at Kulalu polling booth in Kolnadu of Bantwal constituency. The voter is Harish Mera (40).
Millennial voter Yusuf Sunaif planted a sapling after casting the vote at Kallapu Patla in Mangaluru constituency and also posted the photo.
In fact, Congress candidate and Minister for Food and Civil Supplies U T Khader in his social media post had appealed to first time voters in his constituency to plant a sapling to remember exercising franchise for the first time. “The plant will grow and give shade in the future,” the post had said.
Minister for Food and Civil Supplies U T Khader, who is also Congress candidate from Mangaluru constituency, exercised his franchise at Boliyar while BJP candidate Santhosh Kumar Rai cast his vote at Panela Higher Primary School, where he had his primary education.
MP Nalin Kumar Kateel cast his vote at St Aloysius English High School, Urwa, while Mangaluru North BJP candidate Dr Bharath Shetty cast his vote at Kadri Padav. Mangaluru South BJP candidate Vedavyasa Kamath cast his vote at DK ZP Higher Primary School, Gandhinagara while Congress candidate J R Lobo exercised his franchise at St Sebastian School, Bendoor cross.
The Minister for Forests, who is also Congress candidate from Bantwal, exercised franchise in Kallige, after offering prayers at Polali Rajarajeshwari Temple.
Physically challenged persons were provided with wheelchairs in the district at the polling booths to exercise their franchise.
Endosulfan victims at Upparapalike in Kokkada too exercised their franchise.