Poll: 68 per cent turn out in Kolar

Though, the voting began at 7 am in the morning, many people didn’t turn up due to fog and biting cold. The voting picked up only after 10 am when the sun rays provided the necessary warmth. The turn out improved during afternoon and late afternoon ( around 4 pm) when people who had queued up at the polling booth jostled to exercise their franchise.

Apart from the youth and middle-aged people who came in hordes, a high enthusiasm was also witnessed among senior citizens many whom where above 90 years and physically challenged who were escorted by other people to cast their vote.Though some of the EVMs developed problem during voting, the election staff swiftly exchanged them there-by not affecting the process.

In places where polling booths were situated at a distance, workers of the political parties arranged for the transportation for voters. Auto, jeep, tractor and other vehicles were pressed into service to drop and also to pick up the voters.

DC’s action
Deputy Commissioner Manoj Kumar Meena personally stepped into maintain law and order at Chathrakodihalli in Vakkaleri Zilla Panchayat constituency. A mob of voters attacked a Sector Officer when he didn’t allow the voters who were bent on voting without showing an Identity card, must for exercising one’s franchise.

The DC, armed with a lathi dispersed the group which had gathered in front of the booth. Incidently, Meena stayed till the evening to bring the situation under control.
Clarification

JD(S) workers in Narasapur alleged that the  supporters of Varthur Prakash were distributing money to voters.

They also alleged that election officers were favouring a independent candidate. Later, Prakash who spoke to mediapersons said that the allegations made by JD(S) workers were baseless.

Deccan Herald which visited Vadagur, Nayakarahalli, Tondal, Chilupalli, Chinnaguru, Holuru, Sugutur, Vakkaleri and other villages found many people in a inebriated state. The party workers and candidates were trying to keep the people (intoxicated) at bay as many people had chided them for their behaviour.

Tambula
Some of the candidates embarked on a novel way to appease the voters. The family members of the candidates at Holuru, Vadaguru, Narasapur, Vemagal, Sugutur and other places gave Tambula (betel leaves, areca nuts and banana)  especially to women and asked for their vote.

‘Returning EVMs’
The first phase of ZP and TP elections came to an end in the district on Sunday evening. The voters have sealed the fate of each candidate in the EVMs.

At the one end there were candidates who were intensely involved in calculating their winning chances and at other there were election officers and staff who were jostling at the Government Boys Pre-University College to return the EVMs along with the list. It was not a easy task for officers and staff who had come from distant villages to return the machines. There was a rush to return the EVMs.

The officers and staff deputed to villages near the city arrived first and were in front while those deputed to far away villages arrived and had to wait. The process was not finished till as late as 9 pm in the night. Some of the women officers ans staff especially their children had a tough time in returning the EVMs.